When we talk about the introduction of swing bowlers in India, legendary Kapil Dev is popularly acclaimed as the man who originated it. Following his departure from the cricketing scene, there came many who took over his reins and took the art of swinging the leather to another level.
While it was widely believed that India produces more spin bowlers rather than pacers who can swing the ball, many of India’s fast bowlers have broken this orthodox mentality with their sheer ability to swing the ball both ways and in the air as well.
In this blog, we will be digging deep and having a look at the 6 exceptional swing bowlers in India who changed the pace of bowling dynamics in cricket.
India’s top 6 swing bowling high-flyers
Kapil Dev – Base creator of Indian swing bowling
The man who introduced swing to Indian bowling, Kapil Dev, is often hailed as the man who changed the course of cricket in India. His 12 wickets in the ODI World Cup triumph in 1983 were instrumental in India’s triumph.
With reverse swing as his most lethal weapon, the former all-rounder used to rattle the batters with his glorious delivery swing both on and out.
Regarded as one of the best swing bowlers of all time, the former Indian captain’s stand is the highest wicket-taking Indian pacer. He has 687 scalps to his name throughout his distinguished career, which spanned over 356 international games.
With such a legacy, the 65-year-old undeniably stands above all as the best Indian swing bowler of all time.
Zaheer Khan – The left-arm southpaw
Another swing prodigy of Indian cricket, Zaheer Khan, is hailed as one of the best bowlers India has ever produced. His out-of-the-class, outswinging deliveries are still recognized as exceptional by fans and pundits alike.
The left-armer’s less-talked-about role was crucial in India’s ODI World Cup 2011 campaign. The 46-year-old claimed 21 wickets and finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament alongside Pakistan’s all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
One of the most lethal weapons was the deadly stock delivery, which used to be deadly for the right-handed batters as the ball used to angle in from his left hand. The Maharashtra-born cricketer has 610 wickets to his name in 309 games. Though the Indian cricket team possesses a good number of fast bowlers in the current setup, Zaheer’s void is yet to be filled.
Javagal Srinath – The torch bearer
Known as the ‘Mysore Express’, Javagal Srinath belonged to the next generation of bowlers who took over the Indian pace bowling department following the retirement of Kapil Dev.
With his remarkable pace and precision, Srinath marked himself as one of the most feared pacers of his generation. With a career spanning over 14 years (1991-2003), the Karnataka-based cricketer claimed a heavy number of 551 wickets in 296 games across all formats.
Despite facing numerous surgeries throughout his career, the 55-year-old did not hold back and continued to shine for India with his impeccable performances.
Mohammed Shami – Modern-day warrior
Mohammed Shami will be remembered for his astute show in the ODI World Cup 2023. Though India failed to lift the cup, the right-arm pacer rose as the flag bearer of his nation’s bowling attack. Shami claimed 24 wickets in just seven innings, ending up as the leading wicket-taker of the esteemed tournament.
The Amroha-born cricketer’s ability to extract swing from uneven pitches is what makes him a standout. Moreover, his extremely well-targeted yorkers have been pivotal in his bowling style. The 34-year-old has many records etched to his name, which includes the thirst fastest to reach 150 ODI wickets as well as the most consecutive four-wickets-in-an-innings in ODIs (3).
Shami has claimed a total of 448 in just 188 international appearances, which is clear evidence of his caliber with the ball. While staying out from the cricket ground for over a year due to knee surgery, the juggernaut will be eager to make a thumping comeback in the cricketing arena.
Jasprit Bumrah – India’s wicket machine
Compiled with majestic skills, Jasprit Bumrah has been a big headache for batters because of his intriguing swing-arm action, complemented with incredible natural velocity.
Mentored by the Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, the Indian wicket machine is renowned for hitting the blockholes and generating crucial wickets for his side whenever needed.
It is Bumrah who currently leads the pace bowling attack of the Indian side. With his toe-crushing yorkers and highly economical bowling setup, the Ahmedabad-born cricketer has carved a niche for himself.
Since his international debut in 2016, Bumrah has added a whopping number of 441 wickets to his tally in just 203 games. Adding more, an astute economic of 3.69 is what makes the right-armer unique.
Ishant Sharma – The underrated seamer from Delhi
Last but not least, it would not be wrong to say that Ishant Sharma has been one of the most underrated yet highly talented Indian pacers. A Delhi boy who rose to the ranks playing alongside greats such as Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, the 6ft 4-inch tall pacer ruled the red-ball cricket setup for quite a hefty period.
Earning the national side call-up at the tender age of 18, the right arm presented a stable composure of swing in a proper rhythm. Sharma has a total of 434 wickets to his name in 199 international games.
Though he has been out of the International cricket arena for more than two years, his stellar performances in the domestic circuit often grab him the limelight.
