(BCCI Photo)

Bowlers often serve as the backbone of a team in Test cricket, with their contributions being key to shaping the outcome of a match. Sri Lanka’s legendary Muttiah Muralitharan, with an astounding 800 Test wickets, had a phenomenal year in 2001, claiming 80 wickets across 12 Tests. He bowled over 781.2 overs at an economy rate of just 2.17, including 216 maidens.

Australian great Shane Warne also had a standout year in 1994, just two years after his debut, taking 70 wickets in 10 Tests. His career-best figures of 8/71 came against England in the Brisbane Ashes, and his 96 wickets in 2005 remain the most ever taken in a calendar year.

India’s Kapil Dev also shone brightly during the 1983-84 season, following his key role in leading India to a historic World Cup victory. Dev’s nine-wicket haul against the mighty West Indies was one of the highlights of his career.

Fast forward to 2024, and it’s been another exceptional year for bowlers, with some stunning performances that helped their teams secure crucial wins. Let’s now look at the bowlers who have racked up the most wickets in the Test format this year.

Most wickets in Tests in 2024

3. Shoaib Bashir: 49 wickets

England’s young off-spinner, Shoaib Bashir, had a breakout year in 2024. The 21-year-old made his Test debut in February against India, after overcoming visa issues, and quickly established himself as one of the most promising talents in the format. By the end of the year, Bashir had taken 49 wickets from 15 matches, finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for 2024.

Bashir bowled more overs (524.3) than any other bowler that year, with his best performances including three five-wicket hauls, the most notable being a brilliant 5/41 against the West Indies. He was particularly impressive against India, where he claimed 17 wickets in just three matches. His remarkable consistency and ability to break partnerships were pivotal in helping England dominate with the ball throughout the year.

2. Gus Atkinson: 52 wickets

Gus Atkinson had a stellar year in 2024, picking up 52 wickets in just 11 matches at an impressive average of 22.15. The 26-year-old pacer made an unforgettable debut in James Anderson’s farewell Test at Lord’s, where he made history by claiming 7/45 in the first innings and finishing with match figures of 12/106—the fourth-best by a debutant in Test history. His year also included a memorable hat-trick against New Zealand in December, making him the first Englishman to achieve the feat in Tests since 2017.

Atkinson’s exceptional performances earned him well-deserved recognition, including an ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year nomination and England Player of the Year at the Cricket Writers’ Club Awards. His efforts were pivotal in England’s series wins over the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand, cementing his place as one of the most promising fast bowlers in world cricket.

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1. Jasprit Bumrah: 71 wickets

Jasprit Bumrah has had an exceptional year in 2024, finishing as the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with a staggering 71 wickets in just 13 matches at a remarkable average of 14.92. His brilliance with the ball has been crucial for India, playing a key role in their success throughout the year, including the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In the recent Melbourne Test, Bumrah was at his best, claiming nine wickets, including a second-innings five-wicket haul, as he helped bring India back into the game despite their eventual defeat. He also reached the milestone of 200 Test wickets in just 44 matches, becoming the fastest Indian pacer to do so, with an impressive average of less than 20.

Bumrah’s tally of 71 wickets now stands as the fifth-highest by an Indian bowler in a calendar year. He also became only the third Indian pacer, after Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan, to claim 50 wickets in a calendar year, further cementing his legacy as one of India’s greatest fast bowlers.