All Time Most Wickets by Indian Bowlers vs Australia

Beating Australia is considered a dream for many teams, but the Indian cricket team has done it consistently for almost ten years. One person who has always managed to bamboozle Australian batters is Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ashwin’s record against Australia is a testament to his genius. With 146 wickets across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, he stands as India’s highest wicket-taker against Australia, ahead of legends like Anil Kumble, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, and Kapil Dev. What made Ashwin so dangerous wasn’t simply his ability to turn the ball but also how he outsmarted opponents. His subtle changes, cunning angles, and fearless attitude made even the best Australian players appear unsure at the crease.

Unlike traditional off-spinners who relied on a single stock ball, Ashwin blended classical flight with clever variations, including the carrom ball, sliders, and subtle changes in pace. At home, Ashwin terrorized Australian batsmen, especially on turning tracks like Delhi, Chennai, and Nagpur. The ball frequently beat the batters in the air before it even turned because of his skill with drift and dip.

Ashwin has produced some of his career-best performances against the Kangaroos, particularly in the first Test of the Border and the Gavaskar Trophy 2012–2013. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the local boy delivered a masterclass, completely dismantling the Australian batting lineup with 12 wickets in the match, taking 7 in the first innings and 5 in the second, using sharp spin and his surprise carrom deliveries. Other memorable performances include 6 for 91 in the Nagpur Test during the Border and Gavaskar Trophy 2023 and 4 for 41 at Adelaide in 2021.

Why This Stat Reflects Greatness Against Australia

What made Ashwin lethal was not just his spin but also his intellect and unique variations. Even in Australia, where circumstances are not ideal for spinners, he adapted and evolved. He concentrated on control, bounce, and acute angles, constantly unsettling batters on pitches that are typically controlled by pace.

Ashwin often outsmarted top players like Steve Smith and David Warner using flight, drift, and subtle changes in pace. His spells frequently came at crucial moments when Australia looked settled and ended with the batting line-up collapsing. More than just taking wickets, it was the psychological pressure he created that made him Australia’s most persistent nightmare.

Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of Ashwin for Australia was his intelligence under pressure. He rarely bowled the same way twice, reading batters like an open book. Over the years, he became the biggest obstacle for their middle order. For Australia, facing Ashwin was not just a test of technique; it was a psychological battle that they often lost.

Top 5 All-Time Indian Wicket Takers against Australia

1. Ravichandran Ashwin – 146 Wickets