Great captains, whether batters or bowlers, led by example and inspire their teams to win against the odds. Their job goes beyond playing well; they set the tone for their teams and help everyone to get better. Many Test captains from Australia and New Zealand to the subcontinent have made their mark by defying expectations and taking big numbers.
Test captains who have taken the most wickets:
| S.No | Player | Country | Mat | Wkts | Runs | 5 Wk Hauls | Best Innings | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imran Khan | Pakistan | 48 | 187 | 3,790 | 12 | 8 / 58 | 20.27 |
| 2 | Pat Cummins | Australia | 36 | 143 | 3263 | 9 | 6 / 28 | 22.81 |
| 3 | Richie Benaud | Australia | 28 | 138 | 3,559 | 9 | 6 / 52 | 25.79 |
| 4 | Gary Sobers | West Indies | 39 | 117 | 3,978 | 3 | 6 / 73 | 34 |
| 5 | Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | 32 | 116 | 3,873 | 6 | 6 / 28 | 33.39 |
See Also: – Asia Cup Winners List 1984 – 2025
Imran Khan – Pakistan
Imran Khan, the legendary all-rounder, is considered one of the best from Pakistan. He was a clutch player, who would step up when it mattered. He led Pakistan’s bowling attack with 187 wickets in 48 matches at an average of 20. That’s incredible.
Pat Cummins – Australia
He hasn’t played 70 Tests yet but has already taken over 300 wickets overall. Can’t imagine the current Australian team without him leading the way. He’s not just a good bowler; he’s also a good batsman. As captain he has taken 143 wickets in 36 games. Though he was disappointed in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, he held his head high and led his team through tough times. His bowling average as captain is just over 22.
Read Also:- Most Man of the Match Awards in Tests Cricket
Richie Benaud – Australia
We miss Richie Benaud in the commentary box. He was not just a good player but also respected by the cricket fraternity. An all-rounder, he scored over 2200 runs with three centuries and took 248 wickets. As captain he took 138 wickets in 28 Tests and taught his team how to beat tough opponents like Australia.
Sir Garry Sobers – West Indies
There are cricketers and then there are legends. Sir Garry Sobers is one of those icons. He took 117 wickets as captain in 39 Tests. An incredible player known for his medium pace, he could create bounce and movement that troubled batsmen. He also hit six consecutive sixes in a game, showing his generational talent.
Read Also:- Most Runs in an innings in Test Cricket History
Daniel Vettori – New Zealand
Vettori is considered one of the best for New Zealand. As a left-arm spinner he was good, and he scored over 4500 runs with six centuries. As captain he took 116 wickets in 32 matches at 33, which is not bad. Many consider him one of New Zealand’s greatest all-rounders.
