Indian cricket has always been known for its spinners and elegant batters, but its fast bowling stocks have changed dramatically over the past two decades. India has some of the world’s fastest and most deadly fast bowlers, capable of speeds beyond 150 km/h and competing with the best. The top 10 Indian quickest bowlers, their career highlights, and their impact on Indian cricket are covered in this blog.
1. Umran Malik
Umran Malik, known as the ‘Jammu Express’, emerged with his raw speed and ability to attain 150+ km/h. He startled hitters with 157 km/h, the fastest Indian pace ever, in his Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL debut. Umran’s blazing spells and attacking intent have earned him a national call-up despite his youth. Speed, skiddy bounce, and aggression drive his bowling. He’s still learning control and variety, but his talent is obvious. Umran, a future speed attack leader for India, evokes West Indies express pacers. He might transform India in T20Is and ODIs with proper grooming and foreign exposure
2. Javagal Srinath
After Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath pioneered fast bowling in the 1990s, bowling above 145 km/h. He was helping India with his fast bowling skill for last decade. Srinath got nearly 300 ODI and 236 Test wickets. He made many matches interesting and changed the result of the game.
He was one of India’s fastest bowlers. He had his career best bowling speed of 154.5 km/h. Srinath’s high-arm action caused bounce and late movement, making him dangerous on bouncy tracks like Australia and South Africa. After retiring, he refereed ICC matches, although his legacy as India’s first pacer is unrivalled.
3. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah revolutionized Indian fast bowling with his unusual motion, accuracy, and deadly yorkers. While his fastest delivery is 153.26 km/h, his high-speed control sets him unique. Soon after his 2016 debut, Bumrah became India’s pace spearhead in all forms. His slow balls and seamers are challenging to pick due to his unusual movement. Bumrah, a death bowler, has won T20S and aggressively attacked in Tests. He was crucial to India’s wins in Australia and England. Besides his stats, Bumrah added professionalism, fitness, and composure to Indian fast bowling. In emergencies, he is India’s go-to pacer despite ailments.
4. Mohammad Shami
Shami is one of the best Indian bowlers with great potential. He clocked the ball with a best speed of 153.3 km/h.
Shami can extract late movement on flat tracks because to his wrist position and upright seam. He has been an important part of India’s pace battery since his 2013 Test debut. He was game-changing in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has been impressive in Tests, especially overseas. Shami is adaptable since he bowls with the new and old ball. His intensity, rhythmic run-up, and match-winning skills make him a modern great.
5. Ishant Sharma
The Indian fast-bowling setup relies on Ishant Sharma, especially in Tests. Despite slowing down, he bowled 145–150 km/h in his heyday. He once tormented Ricky Ponting during India’s 2008 tour of Australia but thereafter became a reliable international workhorse. Over 300 Test wickets, Ishant’s 2014 (7/74) and 2021 England series performances stand out. His height gives him steep bounce, and he can move the ball both ways. Ishant’s expertise and endurance made him a reliable pace attack leader, especially on long abroad tours.
6. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav, one of the few Indian pacers to bowl above 145 km/h, gave India’s bowling unit genuine speed and aggression. Umesh was extremely good with the SG ball at home in his 2011 Test debut. Approximately 152.5 km/h was his peak speed. His muscular frame and energetic run-up allow him to reverse swing the old ball and generate steep bounce from a solid length. Injuries and uneven fitness limited Umesh’s appearances, but he helped India win the 2021 Brisbane Test. In the lengthier format, his ability to bowl long stints with intensity makes him valuable.
7. Varun Aaron
Varun Aaron was India’s fastest bowler, hitting 153 km/h. His outstanding domestic and U-19 achievements were notable for quickness. Aaron became an international player in 2011, however injuries slowed him down. However, his aggressive bodyline bowling and toe-crushing yorkers showed promise. He showed promise in Tests and ODIs, but lack of control and fitness difficulties kept him out. Aaron showed that Indian fast bowlers could create express pace, shifting views. A generation of young quicks focused on speed because of him.
8. Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini was known for his speed and precision, reaching 150 km/h. He made his India debut in 2019 and was quickly noticed for his quickness and bounce. From humble beginnings, Saini ascended through domestic cricket and the IPL with hard work and consistency. He has performed well under pressure, especially in T20s and India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2020–21. His peak speed is 152 km/h. When healthy, Saini’s silky motion and skiddy pace make him useful in all formats.
9. Ashish Nehra
In the early 2000s, Ashish Nehra was one of India’s fastest bowlers, clocking close to 149 km/h. India relied on Nehra’s left-arm angle and late swing, especially in the 2003 World Cup. He bowled 6/23 against England in the World Cup, one of India’s best. Injury-plagued Nehra, but his comebacks were remarkable. He retired as a recognized senior Indian after adapting well to T20 cricket. He is influential in India’s fast-bowling development due to his dedication, experience, and coaching.
10. Zaheer Khan
Though not the fastest fast bowler, Zaheer Khan was one of India’s most successful due to his seam, swing, and strategy. He often bowled at 145 km/h and surprised hitters with a stinging bouncer. He developed into a thinking bowler who could reverse swing accurately. India’s 2011 World Cup success was helped by Zaheer’s joint-highest wicket-taking. Coached young bowlers and commanded the pace attack with finesse. He is an Indian fast-bowling legend due to his speed, intellect, and adaptability.
Conclusion
To bet on the best bowlers, you might understand all the well-performing bowlers in the Indian team. This blog explores some of the top fast bowlers, their speed, number of wickets taken, etc. To read this kind of informative blog with cricket stats, register on the 96in site.
