Which bowler has taken the most wickets in Test cricket?

Muttiah Muralitharan has taken the most wickets in Test cricket, finishing his career with 800 wickets for Sri Lanka.

The off-spin bowler reached the record during a career that ran from 1992 to 2010. He passed Shane Warne’s previous mark of 708 Test wickets in 2007 and later became the first bowler to reach 800. Muralitharan claimed his 800th wicket in his final Test, dismissing Pragyan Ojha against India in Galle.

His record was built on exceptional control, variations and extraordinary workload. He took 67 five-wicket hauls and 22 ten-wicket match hauls, both Test records. He also averaged more than six wickets per Test across 133 matches, making him far more than a longevity-based record holder.

The leading alternatives in the question are all historically significant wicket-takers. Shane Warne is second with 708, Anil Kumble took 619, James Anderson 704, and Muralitharan’s Sri Lankan teammate remains the clear overall leader.