5 bowlers with most wickets in India-Australia matches

Overview

• Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets in the second T20I of the 2025 series against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
• In the process, the Indian pacer equaled Brett Lee to become the joint leading wicket-taker in India-Australia matches
• The elite list also features some of the other great bowlers like Kapil Dev, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon

Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets in the second T20I of the 2025 series against Australia at the MCG, making him the joint leading wicket-taker in India-Australia matches. While India lost the game and Bumrah did not make a big impact with the ball, he bowled some terrific yorkers towards the end, displaying his exceptional skills with the older ball.

The matches between India and Australia tend to be highly competitive. In the 21st century, it has emerged as cricket's most significant rivalry in any format, given the caliber of the cricketers involved. Hence, there is room for high-octane action, especially from the pace bowlers, who have usually enjoyed a big success in the India-Australia matches.

5 bowlers with the most wickets in India-Australia matches

Nathan Lyon (70)

Nathan Lyon has mostly played in Tests against India. The right-arm orthodox spinner is one of the leading wicket takers in the longest format of the game. Against India, he has taken a lot of wickets.

Lyon has 70 wickets to his name against the 2-time WTC Finalists at an average of 40.24, which is the fifth most for a bowler in India-Australia matches.

Mitchell Starc (72)

Mitchell Starc usually goes for runs against India, but managed to pick wickets. He is a wicket-taking bowler and has damaged the Indian team on some big occasions, like the ODI World Cup 2023 final.

The left-arm pacer has 72 wickets to his name against the 2-time ODI World Cup winners at an average of 31.34.

Kapil Dev (72)

Kapil Dev is one of the most influential cricketers of all time. With his performance i the ODI World Cup 1983, the former Indian skipper changed the game forever. India became a powerhouse due to Kapil and his team members' performance in the years to come.

The star All-rounder had 72 wickets to his name against Australia at a bowling average of 25.44, making him the bowler with the third most number of scalps in the India-Australia matches.

Brett Lee (80)

Brett Lee has a very good record in the India-Australia matches across formats. He was among the best bowlers in the world in the 2010s. Some of Lee's best performances against India came in the major ICC tournaments and bilateral series in India.

The express pacer has 80 wickets to his name against India at a good bowling average of 23.98, which is the joint most for a bowler.

Jasprit Bumrah (80)

Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets in the second T20I of the 2025 series against Australia at the MCG, making him the joint leading wicket-taker in India-Australia matches. He is now tied with Brett Lee as the bowler with the most wickets across formats in India-Australia matches.

The unorthodox pacer has 80 wickets against Australia across formats at a terrific average of 19.26. Out of them, 32 came in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 alone, which was his best performance in a Test series.