Everyone knows India has churned out many legendary batters, who have carried the team on their shoulders.
But, over the years, several bowlers have donned the Indian jersey, delivering memorable performances with the red ball in their hand.
These bowlers have also shouldered the responsibility on many occasions, dominating opponents with their masterful spells.
Here we’ll look at the top 10 best bowling figures registered by Indian bowlers in a Test match.
10. 12/85 by Ravichandran Ashwin vs New Zealand, 2012
Having made his Test debut in November 2011, Ravichandran Ashwin showed his mettle early on in his career. It was only in his seventh Test match, Ashwin bagged his first ten-wicket haul.
India were playing in the first Test against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 2012. India batted first and posted 438 runs on board.
Then Ashwin ran riot with the ball, taking six wickets for 31 runs, wrapping up New Zealand for 159 runs. India imposed a follow-on on the Kiwis, and again Ashwin picked up six wickets, ending up with a match haul of 12 for 85.
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9. 13/196 by Harbhajan Singh vs Australia, 2001
Who doesn’t remember the 2001 Eden Gardens Test against Australia? It was in this match that Harbhajan Singh delivered a historic bowling performance when the odds were against India.
He picked up seven scalps for 123 runs in the first innings. But it was during Australia’s second innings, Harbhajan rose like a hero.
India had set a target of 384 runs, and Australia were looking for a draw. But Harbhajan had other plans, dismissing six Australians and taking a match-haul of 13 for 196 to help India win the match.
8. 13/181 by Anil Kumble vs Australia, 2004
Anil Kumble delivered the match figures of 13 for 181 against Australia in the 2004 Chennai Test. Australia elected to bat first and were looking to get a big total.
But then Kumble ran through the Australian middle order, taking seven wickets for 48 runs. Australia were all out for 235, to which India replied with 376 runs.
In the second innings, Kumble was after Australia from the start, first dismissing their top order and then wrapping up their lower order. The former leg spinner took six wickets for 133 runs.
7. 13/140 by Ravichandran Ashwin vs New Zealand, 2016
Four years after his 12-fer against New Zealand, Ravichandran Ashwin dished out a 13-fer against the same team in 2016. Batting first, India put up 557 runs on the board.
In reply, the Kiwis were batting well, putting up a 118-run opening stand. But then Ashwin broke the partnership and opened the floodgates, taking six wickets for 81 runs.
New Zealand were all out for 299, and India further extended their lead, setting a target of 475 runs. With a mighty target to chase, the Kiwis fell prey to Ashwin’s off-spin, as he racked up seven wickets to end up with his best figures of 13 for 140.
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6. 13/132 by Javagal Srinath vs Pakistan, 1999
There’s only one fast bowler among the top 10 performances, and that’s none other than Javagal Srinath. The former right-arm pacer returned with match figures of 13 for 132 against Pakistan in 1999.
Pakistan opted to bat first, but Srinath made them regret their decision. He drew the first blood in just the third over and went on to pick up a fifer, bundling Pakistan for 185 runs.
India replied with 223 runs, taking a lead of 38 runs. Pakistan came out to bat, but Srinath was at it again, tearing apart their top order.
He grabbed eight wickets for 86 runs. But his performance went in vain as India lost the match by 46 runs.
5. 13/131 by Vinoo Mankad vs Pakistan, 1952
Vinoo Mankad spun a web around Pakistan and claimed a match haul of 13 wickets for 131 runs in 1952. It was Pakistan’s first-ever Test match, and they had no answer to Mankad’s finger spin.
India scored 372 runs in the first innings. In response, Pakistan were all out for 150 runs, as Mankad pierced through their batting lineup, claiming eight wickets for 52 runs.
India enforced the follow-on on Pakistan, asking them to bat again. This time, the former left-arm spinner took a fifer, helping India bowl out Pakistan for 152 runs and win the match.
4. 14/149 by Anil Kumble vs Pakistan, 1999
Anil Kumble features again in the list, and that too with a better performance. The legendary leg spinner delivered match figures of 14 for 149 against Pakistan, which included 10 wickets in an innings.
India mustered 252 runs in their first essay after electing to bat first. The runs weren’t enough, but Kumble gave India a lead, taking four scalps and bowling out Pakistan for 172 runs.
India batted well in their second dig, scoring 339 and setting a target of 420 runs. Pakistan started well, scoring 101 runs without a loss.
But things changed after lunch, as Kumble tore apart the entire Pakistani batting lineup, taking all 10 wickets. With that, Kumble became only the second bowler after Jim Laker to claim all 10 scalps in a Test innings.
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3. 14/124 vs Jasubhai Patel vs Australia, 1959
The third-best match figures by an Indian were recorded way back in 1959. Jasubhai Patel spun out Australia with his match-winning performance of 14 for 124.
India were bowled out for 152 runs in the first innings and then conceded a lead of 67 runs as Australia replied with 219 runs. But Jasubhai played a crucial role in Australia not taking a huge lead, as he racked up nine wickets for 69 runs.
India made a comeback with the bat, setting a target of 225 runs. Australia were favourites to win, but Jasubhai spun his magic.
The former off-spinner clinched five wickets for 55 runs, helping India bundle out Australia for 105 runs and win the match by 119 runs.
2. 15/217 by Harbhajan Singh vs Australia, 2001
Harbhajan Singh continued from where he left off in the Eden Gardens Test. He delivered match figures of 15 for 217 in the 2001 Chennai Test, which is the second-best by an Indian.
Australia were looking hungry to pile up runs in their first innings. But Harbhajan pulled back strings, tormenting their top and lower order. He picked up seven wickets.
India replied well, posting 501 runs in their first innings. Australia were out to bat again, but they were outdone by Harbhajan.
The former off-spinner returned with figures of eight for 84, restricting Australia to 264 runs. India were set a target of 155, which they achieved with two wickets to spare.
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1. 16/136 by Narendra Hirwani vs West Indies, 1988
Former leg spinner Narendra Hirwani holds the record for delivering the best bowling figures for India in a Test match. He registered match figures of 16 for 136 against the West Indies in 1988.
That was Hirwani’s debut Test match, and he delivered an absolute cracker of a performance. Batting first, India posted 382 runs on the scoreboard.
Then Hirwani took control of the match in his hand. The leggie rocked the Windies with his leg spin, taking eight wickets for 81 runs and skittling them for 184 runs.
India extended their lead and set a massive target of 416 runs in front of the Windies. But Hirwani didn’t give them an inch, racking up eight wickets for 75 runs.
Hirwani’s 16 for 136 are also the best match figures by a bowler on debut in Test cricket.
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