Test cricket is the oldest form of the game. It came into existence more than 150 years ago, in 1877. Since then, there have been unlimited players who have played this format. Some found success, while others faded away. But when it comes to longevity, not many can retain their ground.
This article will feature such stars that performed exceedingly well for their teams in the longest format. We will discuss here about the bowlers who are the fastest to take 250 wickets in the test cricket. This list is topped by an Indian bowler. So let’s check.
Fastest to 250 Test Wickets
| Bowler | Vs | Venue | Match Date | Debut | Time | M |
| Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) | Bangladesh | Hyderabad | 9 Feb 2017 | 6 Nov 2011 | 5y 95d | 45 |
| Dennis Lillee (AUS) | India | Melbourne | 7 Feb 1981 | 29 Jan 1971 | 10y 9d | 48 |
| Dale Steyn (SA) | Sri Lanka | Centurion | 15 Dec 2011 | 17 Dec 2004 | 6y 363d | 49 |
| Allan Donald (SA) | West Indies | Durban | 26 Dec 1998 | 18 Apr 1992 | 6y 252d | 50 |
| Waqar Younis (PAK) | South Africa | Gqeberha | 6 Mar 1998 | 15 Nov 1989 | 8y 111d | 51 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | Pakistan | Karachi | 12 Mar 2000 | 28 Aug 1992 | 7y 197d | 51 |
| Richard Hadlee (NZ) | Pakistan | Dunedin | 9 Feb 1985 | 2 Feb 1973 | 12y 7d | 53 |
| Malcolm Marshall (WI) | Pakistan | Bridgetown | 22 Apr 1988 | 15 Dec 1978 | 9y 129d | 53 |
| Kagiso Rabada (SA) | England | Lord’s | 17 Aug 2022 | 5 Nov 2015 | 6y 285d | 53 |
| Ian Botham (ENG) | Australia | Perth | 12 Nov 1982 | 28 Jul 1977 | 5y 107d | 55 |
5. Waqar Younis (PAK) – 51 matches
Former Pakistani superstar Waqar Younis was one of the best pacers to play this game. He along with Wasim Akram made a deadly combo that troubled all the opposition. Waqar swung the ball both ways which made him a diffcult bowler to handle. He completed 250 wickets in his 51st test and became the joint-fifth fastest along with Muralitharan.
4. Allan Donald (SA) – 50 matches
Allan Donald was the first South Africa bowler to cross the landmark of 250 wickets in the red-ball cricket. He was the main weapon for his team between the 1990s and early 2000s. He was the spearhead of the team. Donald played 72 tests in his career and took 330 wickets with 20 fifers overall. He completed 250 wickets in 50 tests during his career.
3. Dale Steyn (SA) – 49 matches
The career of Dale Steyn was not longer as compared to that of his competitor, but he achieved success earlier than others. The man who swung the ball both ways at a speed of over 150 km/h was a dangerous prospect for the opposition. This was the skillset he brought to the table during his career. Steyn completed 250 runs in just 49 tests, breaking Allan Donald’s record and becoming the fastest South African to do so.
2. Dennis Lillee (AUS) – 48 matches
Former Australian legend Dennis Lillee was the fastest bowler to take 250 wickets and held this record for almost four decades. Lillee was the one who made the Australian bowling attack among the best in the 1970s and 1980s. He retired with 355 wickets in just 70 games. Lillee took his 250th wicket in his 48th game of his career.
1. Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) – 45 matches
India’s premier off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, is the fastest bowler in history to take 250 wickets. He broke the all-time record in 2018 and made history. Ashwin completed 250 wickets in just 45 matches which is more than five wickets per game. He has won numerous games to India during his career. So far, he has taken 474 wickets in 92 Tests, with 32 five-wicket hauls.