Do you remember the last cricket match when you were electrified or experienced an adrenaline rush after seeing your favorite bowler deliver a ball that outshines the speed of light? Cricket has an exceptional popularity in India. Everyone loves the aura and thrill of this game. With their unprecedented skills, point-to-point bowling actions, and tremendous speed, our fast bowlers can become tough competitors to any international bowlers.
They are truly game-changers and can turn the tables at any point. This blog explores the top 10 fastest bowlers in the Indian cricket landscape, whose sheer pace has inscribed their names in the chronicles of the sport.
1. Umran Malik: 156.9 km/h
This 25-year-old cricketer belongs to Jammu & Kashmir. He grabbed attention and position due to his fiery speed.
In IPL 2022, he delivered a ball clocked at 156.9 km/h against Delhi Capitals in Mumbai. This delivery has made him secure a position in the list of the top fastest bowlers in India. His quick growth and raw pace have made him one of the quickest bowlers in the history of Indian cricket.
2. Mayank Yadav: 156.7 km/h
This right-arm fast bowler from Delhi maintains his speed above 150 km/h. He played for India in many T20 matches and was also an asset for Lucknow Super Giants.
His fastest delivery was 156.7 km/h during the IPL 2024 season, helping him to snatch the title of the second-fastest Indian bowler in history.
3. Javagal Srinath: 154.5 km/h
He is a legendary cricketer in India and helped the team to win many matches in the 1990s. He troubled many top batsmen with this excellent pace and swing. His fastest delivery was at 154.5 km/h against Pakistan in the World Cup 1999.
4. Irfan Pathan: 153.7 km/h
Our list won’t be completed if we don’t mention the name of this bowler.
Though he is an all-time favorite all-rounder, he possesses a serious pace. His fastest delivery was recorded at 153.7 km/h. Along with Test, ODIs and T20s, he even played IPL matches from Kings 11 Punjab. He is an irreplaceable cricketer in the Indian history.
5. Mohammed Shami: 153.3 km/h
Mohammed Shami always inscribes his name in the Indian cricket chronicle.
As one of the premium fast bowlers in India, Shami earned popularity due to his swing at high speeds. His fastest delivery was at 153.3 km/h against Australia in the 3rd Test Match in Melbourne in 2014. Shami is a key player for India across all types of cricket formats. He was the leading wicket-taker in the ICC 2023 World Cup.
6. Jasprit Bumrah – 153.26 km/h
This right-arm medium pacer is known for deadly pace and quirky bowling action.
He has taken more than 250 wickets in international cricket and is truly a jaw-dropping fast bowler in all formats. His fastest delivery was recorded at 153.26 km/h. Many popular batsmen often face difficulties while playing his yorkers. His arm action and release point help him to pick wickets early in various matches.
7. Navdeep Saini – 152.85 km/h
This Indian pacer grabbed Media’s attention and headlines with his blazing pace during the IPL. Throughout the tournament, he bowled over 150 km/h.
His fastest delivery was at 152.85 km/h against Sri Lanka in 2020. He even played in the IPL and represented India from 2019 to 2021 in all formats.
8. Ishant Sharma – 152.6 km/h
This tall, right-arm bowler from Delhi is known for his bounce and arm action. He ruled the Indian bowling lineup for over a decade.
Ishant is loved by all due to his ability to produce bounce and his excellent swinging delivery. Ishant also clocked speeds of up to 152.6 km/h against Australia in 2008, making him a popular bowler in India.
9. Umesh Yadav – 152.2 km/h
Hails from Nagpur, Umesh Yadav represents raw pace and speed.
His fastest delivery was at 152.2 km/h in 2012, which portrays his unparalleled fast-bowling talent. Umesh is a key player for India’s team, especially in home matches.
10. Varun Aaron – 152.5 km/h
Varun Aaron holds his place on our list for maintaining his speed constantly in different matches.
He delivered his fastest ball at 152.5 km/h against Sri Lanka. He played IPL for various franchises like Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Gujrat Titans. Though he has the ability to trouble batsmen with sheer pace, prolonged injuries have curtailed his international career. Finally, he announced his retirement in January 2025.
These pace bowlers have not only changed the definition of India’s bowling arsenal but also inspired many young cricketers to make a scintillating career in the field of fast bowling. Their contributions have dominantly inscribed India’s name on the international stage, proving that Indian cricket is far beyond the spin.
Recommended reading: The Players with the Most Sixes in T20 Internationals
India’s Fast Bowling Revolution: A New Era of Speed
In earlier days, Indian cricket was synonymous with spin bowling. The country produced top spinners like Bishan Singh Bedi, Anil Kumble, Ravindra Jadega, etc., who made nation proud with their world-class spinning deliveries.
However, the trend has shifted significantly over the last two decades. India now boasts a top-class pace attack that can compete with any world-famous team. Emerging bowlers like Umran Malik and Jasprit Bumrah signal a transformation in Indian cricket’s bowling philosophy.
Moreover, the intrusion of the latest technology, fitness equipment, biomechanics, and improved training systems have inspired bowlers to maintain their speed above 150 km/h. Earlier, Indian fast bowlers may not have been given priority, but nowadays, they are considered to be the cornerstones of the national cricket team.
How Indian Pacers Compare to International Fast Bowlers
Over the past two decades, Indian pace bowlers have performed significantly well. How do they compete with international pacers?
Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan): 161.3 km/h
Popularly known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” Akhtar needs no introduction in the fast bowling attack. His fastest delivery was at 161.3 km/h against England in 2003, Cape Town.
Brett Lee (Australia): 161.1 km/h
This legendary Australian bowler maintained a constant pace of 150km/h throughout his career. His highest delivery was at 161.1 km/h against New Zealand in 2005.
Shaun Tait (Australia): 161.1 km/h
His unpredictable bowling action can destroy any top-order batsman. Known as “The Wild Thing”, his bowling action has similarities with the former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson.
Mitchell Starc (Australia): 160.4 km/h
He is truly the king of modern-day first bowlers. He infuses accuracy and pace.
Though Indian fast bowlers may not yet cross the 160 km/h mark, they have engraved their presence in the pace bowling arsenal. Players like Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav are pushing boundaries, showing that Indian pacers are catching up with global speedsters.
The Role of IPL in Grooming Fast Bowlers
The role of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is unsurpassed in shaping the future of fast-bowling talent. It gives young players a podium to display their talents. They learn new techniques and skills under the guidance of prominent world-class pacers.
Bowlers like Umran Malik and Navdeep Saini have flourished during various IPL sessions. Their outstanding contribution in IPL matches helped them to mark a place in international cricket. The continuous exposure to nerve-wracking T20 matches, mentorship from the star coaches, and the experience of bowling against international performers have contributed drastically to the rise of India’s pace bowlers.
During IPL and other popular sessions, many cricket enthusiasts often play fantasy cricket matches on the top fantasy app in India. Apart from selecting a batsman for your team, you can also include fast bowlers, especially if the pitch is favorable for pacers.
Conclusion
India is graced with some of cricket’s fastest and most electrifying bowlers. These bowlers possess fiery pace and awe-inspiring spells. These go-getters can dominate in any form of cricket, like T20s, ODIs, and Test matches. Their unmatched speed, infused with accuracy and skill, makes them worthy assets to the team India.
Are you a cricket lover who wants to enjoy every thrill of first bowling? It is the ideal time to draft a winning team while playing fantasy games through MyChamp11. It is the ultimate cricket platform that allows you to build a team, including India’s fastest bowlers, and compete with fellow contenders. Strategize, pick your pacers prudently and experience the excitement of the game in every second.
