When cricket giants India and Australia face off in T20 Internationals, the battle is not just about big sixes or star batters, it’s also about the bowlers who change games with their precision and control.
Over the years, several bowlers from both teams have dominated this fiery rivalry, producing memorable spells under pressure. Here’s a look at the top five wicket-takers in India vs Australia T20Is and the bowler who sits at the top of the list.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 10 wickets
Completing the top five is Ravichandran Ashwin with 10 wickets against Australia in T20Is. A master of spin and variations, Ashwin has often used his experience and intelligence to outsmart Australian batters.
Though he has not featured regularly in T20Is in recent years, Ashwin’s early contributions were significant in shaping India’s dominance against Australia. His carrom ball, quicker off-breaks, and sharp understanding of angles make him tough to handle, especially in Indian conditions.
Ravichandran Ashwin delivered his best T20I performance against Australia in the 2014 ICC World T20 semi-final at Mirpur, where he took 4 wickets for just 11 runs. His ability to keep the run rate low while picking wickets helped India maintain control in several matches.
4. Adam Zampa (Australia) – 12 wickets
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa followed closely with 12 wickets, showcasing the crucial role of spin for Australia in T20Is against India. Zampa has consistently challenged Indian batters with his flight, variation, and clever use of the googly.
Over a period of time, Zampa has been one of the few bowlers who has managed to put top players in tough situations like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. His battles with Kohli, in particular, have been entertaining to watch, with the spinner dismissing the Indian star multiple times in white-ball cricket.
Adam’s best T20I bowling spell against India was 3/16 which came in 2019. Zampa’s ability to remain calm under pressure and his knack for breaking partnerships in the middle overs make him a vital weapon in Australia’s T20 setup.
3. Jason Behrendorff (Australia) – 13 wickets
Australia’s Jason Behrendorff holds the third spot with 13 wickets against India. The left-arm pacer has been a reliable performer whenever he has faced the Men in Blue, especially in the early overs.
Behrendorff’s swing bowling has troubled top Indian batters, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. His memorable spell of 4/21 in a T20I at Guwahati in 2017 remains one of the most talked-about performances in this rivalry.
Behrendorff has made the most of his opportunities, despite not being a regular in the playing XI due to Australia’s pace depth. His ability to move the new ball both ways and maintain disciplined lengths has made him one of the most effective bowlers against India in this format.
2. Axar Patel (India) – 15 wickets
The second on the list is Axar Patel, who has become one of India’s most consistent performers in the T20 format. The left-arm spinner has taken 15 wickets against Australia and has often provided early breakthroughs during the powerplay.
Axar Patel’s best T20I bowling performance against Australia was 3/16, it came in December 2023. His economy rate against them is 6.30. Axar’s strength lies in his accuracy and ability to extract turns even on flat pitches.
One of Axar’s standout performances came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series at home against Australia. While he consistently contributed with the bat throughout the series, his bowling was crucial in the middle overs, helping India maintain pressure and control.
1. Jasprit Bumrah (India) – 17 wickets
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah leads the list with 17 wickets against Australia in T20 Internationals. Known for his deadly yorkers and consistency at the death, Bumrah has been a nightmare for Australian batters. Jasprit Bumrah’s best T20I spell came against Australia where he took 3 wickets and gave 16 runs.
From his debut series against them in 2016 to his impactful performances in bilateral matches and ICC events, Bumrah’s control under pressure has stood out. His ability to bowl accurate yorkers and slower balls in the final overs makes him a complete match-winner.
Bumrah’s best spells have come in tight situations where he has often dismissed crucial players such as Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, and David Warner. His economy rate has also been very impressive, he often gives under 7 runs per over, a fine figure in T20 cricket. No wonder why India relies on him the most during crucial overs against Australia.
Conclusion
The clashes between India and Australia have given fans many thrilling games, defined by a fair fight between batting and bowling. Bumrah’s speed, Axar’s spin, and Behrendorff’s movement with the ball have all made a strong impact on this high-intense rivalry.
Each name on this list represents consistency, skill, and the ability to perform under pressure, traits that define champions. As both teams gear up for future series, fans can expect more thrilling duels between batters and these exceptional bowlers who continue to shape the story of India vs Australia T20 cricket.
Written by Kinjal Walantra