A debut match and a maiden wicket is always the biggest thing for any bowler in his entire life. There have been many bowlers who have done a tremendous job at the domestic level but failed to make an impact at the highest level and faded away. Then there are some who got a chance and they made the most of it.
This article will also contain such bowlers who went on to become a great assets for their team. We will talk about the bowlers who are the fastest to take 200 wickets in Test Cricket. There is an Asian bowler at the top of this elite list.
Fastest to 200 Wickets in Test
| Bowler | Mts | Vs | Venue | Mt Date | Debut | Time |
| Yasir Shah (PAK) | 33 | New Zealand | Abu Dhabi | 3 Dec 2018 | 22 Oct 2014 | 4y 42d |
| Clarrie Grimmett (AUS) | 36 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 15 Feb 1936 | 27 Feb 1925 | 10y 353d |
| Ravi Ashwin (IND) | 37 | New Zealand | Kanpur | 22 Sep 2016 | 6 Nov 2011 | 4y 321d |
| Dennis Lillee (AUS) | 38 | England | Melbourne | 1 Feb 1980 | 29 Jan 1971 | 9y 3d |
| Waqar Younis (PAK) | 38 | New Zealand | Christchurch | 8 Dec 1995 | 15 Nov 1989 | 6y 23d |
| Dale Steyn (SA) | 39 | West Indies | Port of Spain | 10 Jun 2010 | 17 Dec 2004 | 5y 175d |
| Ian Botham (ENG) | 41 | West Indies | The Oval | 27 Aug 1981 | 28 Jul 1977 | 4y 30d |
| Stuart MacGill (AUS) | 41 | Sri Lanka | Brisbane | 8 Nov 2007 | 30 Jan 1998 | 9y 282d |
| Malcolm Marshall (WI) | 42 | England | Port of Spain | 7 Mar 1986 | 15 Dec 1978 | 7y 82d |
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 42 | Sri Lanka | Perth | 8 Dec 1995 | 2 Jan 1992 | 3y 340d |
5. Waqar Younis – 38 Tests
One of the best exponents of the swing and reverse swing from Pakistan, Waqar Younis is among the fastest bowler on this list. The former speedster became the spearhead of the Pakistani bowling attack during his stint. He completed 200 test wickets in 38 games. Waqar retired with 373 wickets in 87 games with 22 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wickets in a game.
4. Dennis Lillee – 38 Tests
Former Australia great Dennis Lillee is also the joint-fourth fastest bowler on the list. Lillee was considered the greatest fast bowler from his country in the previous generation. He was the first Australian to take 350-plus wickets. Lillee played test cricket for 13 years and reached 200 wickets in his 38th test. Overall, he took 355 wickets in 70 tests with 23 fifers and 7 ten-wicket hauls.
3. Ravi Ashwin – 37 Tests
Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is considered to be the best off-spinner in modern-day test cricket. Ashwin has been breaking records with every year passing by. He completed 200 wickets in just 37 games, which is the fastest for an Indian bowler. Ashwin has played 92 tests so far and has taken 474 wickets with 32 fifers and 7 ten-wickets hauls. He has also scored 3129 runs with the bat as well.
2. Clarrie Grimmett – 36 Tests
Former Australian legend Clarrie Grimmett. who is the second fastest to take 100 test wickets and is also second-fastest for 200 scalps. Grimmett with an incredible leg-break bowler, who deceived the batters with his different variations. Grimmett was the fastest bowler to take 200 when he created this record in 1936. He completed this milestone in his 36 match. In his test career, he took 216 wickets in 37 games with 21 fifers and 7 ten-wicket hauls.
1. Yasir Shah – 33 Tests
Veteran Pakistani spinner Yasir Shah broke the the record of Clarrie Grimmett after 82 years in 2018 and became the fastest to 200 test wickets in the red-ball cricket. Shah made his debut in October 2014 and it took him four years to reach the landmark. It took him just 33 tests to become the fastest bowler to do so. Saha has played 48 tests so far and taken 244 wickets with 16 fifers in his career.