Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, produced a stunning spell with the ball in the second innings of the 2025 WTC final at Lord s. The final is being played between South Africa and Australia and it started on Wednesday, June 11.
On the opening day of the match, the South African pacers ruled the first innings dismissing Australia at a paltry 212 runs. But Australia roared back into the match to bowl out the Proteas twice in the second innings for only 138 to steal a march on the game, leading by 74 runs going into the third innings.
The captain Pat Cummins set the pace with a brilliant spell. Taking 18.1 overs, he claimed six wickets in the innings allowing only 28 runs. Cummins dismissed the figures of Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada.
In the process, Pat Cummins surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi on a unique list. Nevertheless, these are the top five Test cricket captains with the most five-fers.
5. Courtney Walsh
One of the largest figures in the history of world cricket, as far as the bowlers are concerned, is the name of former West Indies captain and a legendary fast bowler Courtney Walsh. Walsh represented West Indies in 132 Tests and took 519 wickets at an average of 24.44 with 22 five-wickets.
He is ranked seventh on this chart and has seven five-wicket fauls in his career as a Test captain. In the longest format, the renowned bowler had captained the West Indies in 22 games.
4. Bishan Singh Bedi
The late Bishan Singh Bedi, a former left-arm spinner for India, comes in at number four. In his 67 Test matches for India, Bishan Singh Bedi took 266 wickets at an average of 28.71, including 14 five-wicket hauls. He was India’s top wicket-taker in the longest format at the time of his retirement.
He succeeded the legendary Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi as captain of India for 22 Test matches between 1975 and 1979. Bishan Singh Bedi took up to eight five-wicket hauls while serving as Test captain.
3. Pat Cummins
Current Australian Test captain Pat Cummins, who previously had eight five-wicket hauls as captain in the longest format, surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi to go to third place on this elite list with his five-wicket haul against South Africa in the 2025 World Test Championship final.
As Test captain, Pat Cummins has now claimed nine five-wicket hauls. The fast bowler from Australia has taken 294 wickets at an average of 22.43 in 67 Test matches, including 13 five-wicket hauls in the current 2025 WTC final. With his incredible performance against South Africa, he also set a number of records.
2. Richie Benaud
The late Richie Benaud, an Australian all-rounder, is ranked second on this list. In the past, the renowned cricket player was one of the most important athletes of his era. He captained Australia in 28 Test matches between 1958 and 1963. Under his direction, Australia dominated and never lost a series.
Richie Benaud, Test captain, has nine five-wicket hauls and is ahead of Pat Cummins despite playing less Tests. During his career, Benaud played in 63 Test matches for Australia, taking 248 wickets at an average of 27.03 and recording 16 five-wicket hauls.
1. Imran Khan
Imran Khan, an all-rounder and former captain of Pakistan, holds the record for most five-wicket hauls by a captain in Test cricket. Imran Khan captained Pakistan in 48 Test matches between 1982 and 1992.
The former all-rounder took the most five-wicket hauls of any bowler to date with 12 while serving as Test captain. During his international career, Imran Khan participated in 88 Test matches and took 362 wickets at an average of 22.81, including 23 five-wicket hauls.
