The Asia Cup 2025 concluded with a thrilling finale that showcased the best of Asian cricketing talent. Hosted in Dubai, the tournament featured high-intensity contests between arch-rivals India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. India emerged victorious, defeating Pakistan in a tense final, thanks to clinical performances with both bat and ball. The competition was marked by standout individual displays, including Kuldeep Yadav’s record-breaking bowling.
The Indian bowlers have always played an important role in the Asia Cup tournaments and as we watch the current generation of Indian bowlers take center stage, it’s a fitting time to look back at the Indian bowlers who have left an indelible mark on the history of the Asia Cup.
Here is a look at some of the most successful Indian bowlers in the Asia Cup history:
1. Kuldeep Yadav (36 Wickets):
Kuldeep Yadav had a stellar Asia Cup 2025, especially in the T20 format. He ended up taking 17 wickets in 7 matches in that edition. In the final versus Pakistan, he picked up 4-for-30, helping bowl the opposition out for 146.
With that performance, Kuldeep became the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup history across both formats (ODI + T20I), surpassing Lasith Malinga (33 wickets). He now has 36 wickets in 18 matches in all Asia Cups.
2. Ravindra Jadeja (29 Wickets):
With his tireless left-arm spin and all-round capabilities, Ravindra Jadeja is one of India’s most successful bowlers in the Asia Cup. He has claimed 29 wickets, a testament to his consistency and ability to bowl tight lines and lengths. Jadeja’s contributions have been vital in both ODI and T20 formats of the tournament, providing crucial breakthroughs and keeping the pressure on opposition batsmen.
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (22 Wickets):
Known for his exceptional swing bowling, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a menace to batsmen with the new ball. He has a total of 22 wickets in the Asia Cup, a figure that highlights his effectiveness in the early stages of an innings. His best performance came in the 2022 edition, where he took a sensational 5 for 4 against Afghanistan, a spell that remains one of the most remarkable bowling performances in the history of the tournament.
4. Irfan Pathan (22 Wickets):
A talented swing bowler and a key all-rounder in his time, Irfan Pathan also features on this list with 22 wickets. He was a prominent figure in India’s bowling attack during several Asia Cup campaigns and his ability to move the ball both ways made him a consistent wicket-taking threat. His best figures of 4 for 32 demonstrate his match-winning potential.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin (20 Wickets):
A master of spin, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a consistent wicket-taker for India across formats. In the Asia Cup, he has picked up 20 wickets, using his vast repertoire of variations to outfox batsmen. Despite having retired from international cricket, his legacy in the tournament is secure and he has been a vital cog in India’s bowling unit over the years.
It will be interesting to see which Indian bowler will surpass Kuldeep Yadav in the future. Do you want to name anyone?
