Cheteshwar Pujara picks his top 5 all-time Indian Test pacers, Mohammed Shami left out

Despite boasting 229 wickets across 64 Test appearances for India, Mohammed Shami was a notable omission from Cheteshwar Pujara’s selection of the nation's top five all-time red-ball pacers. Speaking in a recent ESPNcricinfo feature, the veteran batter turned commentator revealed his personal rank of India's fast-bowling greats, bridging generations by including two legends who retired long before his own 13-year international career began.

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Cheteshwar Pujara’s surprising Top-5 all-time Indian Test pace attack

Pujara anchored his selections with iconic World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, India's all-time leading Test wicket-taker among seamers. Joining Kapil on the list were Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ishant Sharma, a lineup that features several of Pujara's former national teammates.

While Pujara shared a dressing room with Zaheer during his early days in the side, he was a key figure alongside Ishant and Bumrah throughout many of India's memorable home and away Test triumphs. Beyond Kapil’s summit position, Zaheer ranks second on India's all-time fast-bowling wicket charts, followed by Ishant (311 wickets), Srinath (236 wickets in 67 Tests), and Bumrah (234 wickets in 52 matches).

Mohammed Shami eked out of top 5 list

Standing sixth on India's all-time list of Test wicket-takers among pacers, Mohammed Shami has been a primary architect of numerous red-ball victories since introducing himself to international cricket in 2013. The Uttar Pradesh-born fast bowler, who represents Bengal in domestic cricket, remains one of the country's most impactful seamers despite missing out on Pujara's top-five selection.

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Expanding his rankings beyond the elite five, Pujara also recognized current pace leader Mohammed Siraj by placing him inside the top ten. Siraj is currently spearheading India's attack in the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, where he has consistently struck by picking up single scalps in both innings of the Galle opener as well as the ongoing clash at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

The dynamic Hyderabad-born fast bowler has solidified his status as a key fixture in India's red-ball plans. Currently leading the national team's wicket tally in the active World Test Championship cycle, Siraj has already accumulated 144 dismissals across his 48 Test appearances.