When it comes to cricket, no format tests a player’s patience, skill, and endurance like Test cricket. Scheduled for over five long days, this format demands a unique combination of consistency, mental strength, and adaptability from bowlers. Picking up wickets in such an environment isn’t solely a test of bowling but also about the technique, mindset, and temperament, and lastly it’s about outsmarting the batter session after session, day after day.
Over the years, taking even 100 wickets in Tests has been a significant achievement, but climbing up to 400 is a rare milestone reserved for only the greats of the game. Among such greats of the bowling feats, Mitchell Starc has recently made headlines for becoming the second-fastest bowler to reach 400 wickets in terms of balls bowled showcasing how lethal is his bowling attack.
When we talk about the fastest to 400 wickets, Sri Lanka’s off-spinner Muttian Muralidaran sits at the very top of the table. He achieved this record in just 72 matches. Closely following him up on the table is Ravichandran Ashwin who get to 400 wickets in just 77 matches. New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee, South Africa’s Dale Steyn and Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath complete the top five of the fastest to 400 wickets list.
Today we will be talking about the players who have reached 400 wickets the fastest in Test cricket, a feat that seems impossible but highlights the brilliance of the Test greats.
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Top 10 players to achieve fastest to 400 Test wickets
| Player | Opposition | Ground | Match Date | Debut | Time | Matches |
| M Muralidaran (SL) | Zimbabwe | Galle | 12 Jan 2002 | 28 Aug 1992 | 9y 137d | 72 |
| R Ashwin (IND) | England | Ahmedabad | 24 Feb 2021 | 6 Nov 2011 | 9y 110d | 77 |
| RJ Hadlee (NZ) | India | Christchurch | 2 Feb 1990 | 2 Feb 1973 | 17y 0d | 80 |
| DW Steyn (SA) | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 30 Jul 2015 | 17 Dec 2004 | 10y 225d | 80 |
| HMRKB Herath (SL) | Pakistan | Abu Dhabi | 28 Sep 2017 | 22 Sep 1999 | 18y 6d | 84 |
| A Kumble (IND) | Australia | Bengaluru | 6 Oct 2004 | 9 Aug 1990 | 14y 58d | 85 |
| GD McGrath (AUS) | Pakistan | Sharjah | 19 Oct 2002 | 12 Nov 1993 | 8y 341d | 87 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | England | The Oval | 23 Aug 2001 | 2 Jan 1992 | 9y 233d | 92 |
| Wasim Akram (PAK) | Sri Lanka | Colombo SSC | 14 Jun 2000 | 25 Jan 1985 | 15y 141d | 96 |
| Harbhajan Singh (IND) | West Indies | Roseau | 6 Jul 2011 | 25 Mar 1998 | 13y 103d | 96 |
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Top 5 Fastest to 400 wickets in Test cricket Record
1. Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
The wizard from Sri Lanka, Muralidaran is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. With his ability of sharp turns, bowling variations and control over the ball helped him dominate batters across the world in different conditions. He reached the milestone of 400 wickets in just 72 Tests against Zimbabwe in 2002.
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2. R Ashwin (India)
Ashwin is second on the list, taking only 77 Tests to join the elite 400-wicket club. He reached the milestone against England in Ahmedabad on February 24, 2021. In that particular match he picked up 7 wickets, 3 for 38 in the first innings and 4 for 48 in the second. Known for his ability to adapt to any condition, Ashwin quickly turned things around and gained a key figure in India’s Test setup.
3. Sir Richard Hadlee(New Zealand)
Hadlee became the first New Zealand bowler to achieve 400 Test wickets, accomplishing the record in 80 matches. He did it against India at Christchurch on February 2, 1990. During that historic match, Hadlee secured 5 wickets, 3 for 57 in the first inning and 2 for 44 in the second.
4. Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Steyn, one of the most feared pacers of his generation, has reached the milestone of 400 wickets in 80 matches. He crossed the landmark against Bangladesh at Mirpur on July 30, 20215. In that game, Steyn took 3 wickets in the first innings, however later that match went into a draw with an interruption from rain. Known for his abilities to deliver in all conditions and his aggressive style and match turning spell has crafted him as one of the lethal bowlers of his times.
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5. Rangana Herath(Sri Lanka)
Herath came into limelight after Muralidaran’s retirement from the game, earlier than he was overshadowed by Mutitiah’s contribution. He reached 400 wickets in 84 Tests, achieving the milestone against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi in September 2017. He played a match winning role by taking 6 wickets in total.
