Top Bowling Spells By Indian Players In The 2023-25 WTC Cycle

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India’s journey in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) came to a close after a 3-1 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite a promising start, India fell short of making it to the final due to crucial defeats against New Zealand and Australia. While the batting department had its struggles, the bowlers consistently stepped up, delivering some memorable performances. Let’s revisit the five best bowling spells by Indian bowlers during this WTC cycle.

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Ravichandran Ashwin – 5/51 vs England, Ranchi

In early 2024, India faced England in a five-match Test series. After losing the first Test in Hyderabad, India fought back and won the series 4-1. One of the standout moments came during the fourth Test in Ranchi, where Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his brilliance.

Trailing by 46 runs in the first innings, India needed a stellar bowling effort to stay in the game. Ashwin delivered by taking five wickets in just 15.5 overs. He dismissed key players like Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Foakes, and James Anderson. Thanks to Ashwin’s magic, England was restricted to 145 in their second innings, and India went on to win the match by five wickets.

Washington Sundar – 7/59 vs New Zealand, Pune

Off-spinner Washington Sundar made a remarkable comeback in Test cricket after nearly four years. Playing at the MCA Stadium in Pune, Sundar registered the best bowling figures by an Indian in 2024, with 7/59.

Sundar’s lethal off-spin left New Zealand’s batters clueless. After Ravichandran Ashwin took the first three wickets, Sundar ran through the remaining batting order, dismissing Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, and Ajaz Patel. Five of his dismissals were clean bowled, showing his impeccable accuracy. This was Sundar’s first seven-wicket haul in first-class cricket, making it a memorable spell.

Mohammed Siraj – 6/15 vs South Africa, Cape Town

India kicked off 2024 with an away series against South Africa. After losing the opening Test, India leveled the series with a dominant win in Cape Town, thanks to Mohammed Siraj’s sensational performance.

In just nine overs, Siraj picked up six wickets for 15 runs, dismantling South Africa’s batting lineup. His victims included Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreyne, and Marco Jansen. South Africa was bowled out for just 55 in their first innings, and India cruised to a seven-wicket victory. Siraj was rightly named Player of the Match.

Jasprit Bumrah – 5/30 vs Australia, Perth

One of the most iconic moments of the WTC cycle was India’s historic win over Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Jasprit Bumrah, leading the team as captain, played a pivotal role with the ball.

After India was bowled out for 150 in their first innings, Bumrah led from the front, taking 5/30 to skittle Australia for just 104. He dismissed Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, and Pat Cummins. His precision and pace were too much for the Australian batters, helping India secure a famous victory.

Jasprit Bumrah – 6/45 vs England, Vizag

Topping this list is another extraordinary spell from Jasprit Bumrah. After losing the first Test to England in Hyderabad, India needed a strong comeback in the second Test at Vizag.

Batting first, India posted 396, thanks to a double century from Yashasvi Jaiswal. England started aggressively with their Bazball strategy, reaching 114/1 in just 23 overs. However, Axar Patel broke the partnership by dismissing Zak Crawley, and then Bumrah took center stage.

Bumrah’s spell of 15.5 overs saw him take six crucial wickets, including Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Tom Hartley, and James Anderson. Despite England’s attacking approach, Bumrah bowled five maiden overs and delivered two stunning yorkers to dismiss Pope and Stokes. His efforts turned the match in India’s favor, and they eventually won the Test.

Conclusion

Though India could not make it to the WTC final, the bowlers delivered several unforgettable performances that gave fans plenty to cheer about. With players like Bumrah, Siraj, Ashwin, Sundar, and Axar in the mix, the future of Indian bowling looks bright. Fans will be eager to see how the team bounces back in the next WTC cycle.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights on India’s cricket journey!

Also Read: KL Rahul Set To Be Rested For IND vs ENG ODIs, Secures ICC Champions Trophy Spot

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