India’s Test cricket journey in Australia has always been tough. From their first tour in 1947-48, winning a series Down Under seemed like a distant dream. For decades, the story was the same. Brilliant moments, but not enough consistency. Heartbreaks followed. Yet, things changed in 2018-19 when India finally clinched a historic series win. They did it again in 2020-21. And even though Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 win recently, one thing has remained constant—Indian bowlers delivering memorable spells.
Ready for a nostalgic ride? Let’s dive into five of the best bowling performances by Indian players on Australian soil.
Erapalli Prasanna – 25 Wickets in 1967/68
Bowling in Australia? A nightmare for spinners. Why? The pitches are bouncy, pace-friendly, and barely offer any turn. But Erapalli Prasanna? He didn’t care. On the 1967-68 tour, Prasanna defied the odds with his clever variations and took 25 wickets in just four Tests.
Highlights:
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- Four wickets in the opening Test at Adelaide.
- Back-to-back six-wicket hauls in Melbourne and Brisbane.
- Seven wickets in Sydney.
His average? An impressive 27.44. Sure, India lost the series 0-4. But Prasanna’s efforts? Legendary.
Anil Kumble – 24 Wickets in 2003/04
Facing one of the greatest Australian teams ever? Tough. Yet Anil Kumble thrived. He missed the first Test but came back strong, bagging 24 wickets in just three matches.
Key moments:
- Five wickets in India’s famous Adelaide win.
- A six-wicket haul in Melbourne.
- A heroic 12-wicket match haul in Sydney.
His persistence and control kept Australia on their toes throughout the series.
Jasprit Bumrah – 21 Wickets in 2018/19
Bumrah’s first tour of Australia? Dream-like. He became India’s main strike bowler in under a year since his Test debut. And boy, did he deliver—21 wickets at an astonishing average of 17.
Standout moment:
- Destroying Australia’s batting lineup in Melbourne with figures of 6/33.
His relentless accuracy and ability to bowl long spells were instrumental in India’s historic series win.
Bishan Singh Bedi – 31 wickets in 1977/78
Close. So close. That’s how India felt during the 1977-78 series. And a big reason? Bishan Singh Bedi’s brilliance. The left-arm spinner scalped 31 wickets in five Tests, topping the series wicket charts.
Memorable moments:
- Six wickets in Sydney, helping India level the series 2-2.
Unfortunately, despite his heroics, India lost the decider by 47 runs. But Bedi’s 31 wickets remain the highest by any Indian spinner in an Australian Test series.
Jasprit Bumrah – 32 Wickets in 2024/25
Fast forward to the recent 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jasprit Bumrah? He was unstoppable. Leading the Indian pace attack, Bumrah set a new record—32 wickets, the highest by an Indian bowler in Australia.
Key highlights:
- An eight-wicket haul in Perth, leading India to a massive 295-run win.
- A nine-wicket performance in Melbourne during the Boxing Day Test.
Despite India losing the series 1-3, Bumrah’s efforts earned widespread praise. His final stats? 32 wickets at an average of 13.06, including three five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls.
Conclusion
Australian pitches may favor home bowlers, but Indian bowlers have repeatedly left their mark. From Prasanna’s artistry in the 60s to Bumrah’s pace dominance in 2024, these performances tell a story of grit, skill, and evolution.
The future? Bright. The legacy of these legends will inspire upcoming bowlers to continue shining Down Under. And who knows? Maybe the next tour will bring more iconic moments.
Also Read: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 knockouts: Full Schedule, Venues, Teams, And All You Need To Know
