The Indian cricket team has significantly improved over the past several years. And if we talk specifically about Test cricket, the Indian team has delivered remarkable performances in recent times. A major share of the credit for this success goes to the Indian bowling lineup. Be it spinners or fast bowlers, the Indian team has produced exceptional bowlers over the years who have won matches for the team with their outstanding bowling.
Today, we will discuss some of the brilliant bowling spells and iconic bowling moments by Indian bowlers against a formidable team like Australia. So, let’s begin.
NOTE:
- We are picking the bowling spells and moments according to our understanding and the way we see the game. Everyone has a different perspective and preferences when picking the best bowling moments and spells by the Indian bowlers.
- We will also pick the moments and spells which has some impact in the game.
Most Iconic Bowling Moments by the Indian Bowlers against Australia in Test Cricket
(1) Anil Kumble’s 8/141 (Sydney, 2004)
Anil Kumble delivered a masterclass in leg-spin bowling during the 2004 Sydney Test. He took 8/141 in Australia’s first innings. Despite the efforts of Steve Waugh, who played his final Test, Kumble’s relentless accuracy and guile were pivotal in keeping India competitive.
The spell is more special because it helped India to take a huge lead of 231 runs in the first inning. Eventually, India drew that game and drew the 4-match series 1-1. India gave a target of 443 runs to Australia in the last inning. In reply, AUS reached 357 for 6 before both the teams shook hands. Kumble also took 4 wickets in the 2nd inning.
(2) Harbhajan Singh’s Hat-Trick (Kolkata, 2001)
In one of the greatest Test matches ever played, Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. During Australia’s first innings, he dismissed Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne in consecutive deliveries. His heroics set the stage for India’s dramatic comeback and historic win.
It was a famous test match for other reasons as well. Probably, it was the best IND vs AUS test match ever played till now. AUS scored 445 runs in the first inning and bundled out India to 171. India, forced to play the follow-on, went on to score 657 for 7 in their 2nd inning. Thanks to the heroics of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.
India declared their inning to give AUS a target of 384 runs. After that, Harbhajan took charge and rattled the Australian batting line-up to give India the strongest comeback.
(3) Ishant Sharma’s spell to Ricky Ponting (Perth, 2008)
Though Ishant Sharma only took 2/63 in the innings, his relentless spell to Ricky Ponting in the Perth Test was legendary. Bowling with pace and bounce, the 19-year-old kept Ponting, one of the world’s best batsmen, under immense pressure, eventually dismissing him. This spell epitomized grit and determination.
In an interview after a few years of that spell, Ishant Sharma said he wasn’t looking for any plan or strategy. He was just bowling normally and enjoying his time. We all remembered how he pushed himself to bowl one more over in that spell and eventually took a wicket of Ponting.
(4) Jasprit Bumrah’s match-winning spell of 6 for 33 (Melbourne, 2018)
Jasprit Bumrah’s devastating spell at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test in 2018 is etched in history. His unique action and sharp pace dismantled Australia, helping India secure a crucial win and go on to clinch their first-ever Test series victory Down Under.
India won the first test in Adelaide by 31 runs but lost the 2nd test in Perth by 14 runs. They needed to win the 3rd test in Melbourne so that they could not lose the series. Indian batters put 443 runs on the board in the first inning on a slowish MCG pitch. AUS was also looking to come closer to India’s first inning total but Bumrah didn’t give a chance toce to the Aussie batters. He took 6 wickets for 33 runs and AUS bowled out for just 151.
Indian batters collapsed to 106 for 8 in the 2nd inning, but they already had enough lead to declare. Australia only managed to score 261 in the 2nd inning. Bumrah took 3 wickets in the 2nd inning as well. One of the top moments from that spell was a slower ball by Bumrah to Shaun Marsh.
(5) Mohammed Siraj’s 5/73 (Brisbane, 2021)
In the historic Gabba Test of 2021, Mohammed Siraj led a young and less experienced Indian bowling team with great skill and confidence, taking a crucial five-wicket haul. This performance helped India secure a stunning series victory, breaking Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba.
It was one of the biggest moments in Indian cricket as no experienced bowlers like Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah were available. He bowled his heart out in the game before Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant took India home in a historic run chase.
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Conclusion
So these are the 5 moments we have picked by the Indian bowlers in tests against Australia. As we said earlier, there is no specific parameter to pick the best moments. There are a few spells like Ajit Agarkar’s 6/41 in Adelaide (2003), Ravindra Jadeja’s 7/42 in Chennai (2017), Bumrah’s fiery spell in Perth (2024) when India came without regular captain Rohit Sharma after a home series loss against NZ, etc. We cannot cover all as the article gets bigger and bigger.
