Indian bowlers have given cricket fans many amazing moments. Their skills stand out, especially on spinning pitches at home. India’s rivalry with Australia has created some of the most exciting cricket matches. Bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja and Jasubhai Patel have shined in Test cricket against Australia.
Let’s look at the top five bowling performances by Indian bowlers in Test matches against Australia.
1. Jasubhai Patel – 9/69, Kanpur, 1959
Jasubhai Patel has the best bowling record by an Indian bowler against Australia. He took 9 wickets for just 69 runs in the 1959 Kanpur Test. India had scored only 152 runs in the first innings. But Patel’s fantastic spin bowling bowled out Australia for 219. His performance turned the match in India’s favor. India won the game by 119 runs. His use of flight and pace confused the Australian batsmen. This made his performance legendary.
2. Harbhajan Singh – 8/84, Chennai, 2001
Harbhajan Singh’s 8/84 is one of the greatest bowling performances in Indian cricket. He took these wickets in the second innings of the last Test of the 2001 series in Chennai. Australia was ahead by 110 runs and looked strong. But Harbhajan broke through their batting lineup. He took the wickets of big players like Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. India won the match by two wickets. Harbhajan was named Player of the Series for taking 32 wickets.
3. Kapil Dev – 8/106, Adelaide, 1985
Kapil Dev’s fantastic bowling in Adelaide in 1985 gave him match figures of 8/106. The pitch was flat, and most bowlers struggled. But Kapil shined and took key wickets. He dismissed six of Australia’s top seven batsmen. He kept Australia to a score of 381 runs. India scored 520 runs in their first innings. Though the match ended in a draw, Kapil was named Player of the Match for his great performance.
4. Anil Kumble – 8/141, Sydney, 2004
Anil Kumble, one of India’s best spinners, gave a great performance in Sydney in 2004. He took 8/141 in the match. This match is also remembered for Sachin Tendulkar’s 241* innings. Kumble’s bowling gave India a big lead of 229 runs. Even though Australia held on for a draw, Kumble’s bowling was the highlight of the game.
5. Ravindra Jadeja – 7/42, Delhi, 2023
Ravindra Jadeja’s 7/42 in the 2023 Delhi Test against Australia is the most recent entry on this list. India was trailing by a run in the first innings. But Jadeja’s amazing spin bowling crushed Australia’s second innings. He dismissed top players like Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. He helped bowl out Australia for just 113 runs. This helped India win the match by six wickets.
Conclusion
These incredible bowling performances show India’s strength in Test cricket against Australia. From Kapil Dev’s swing to Jasubhai Patel’s spin, Indian bowlers have proved their talent many times. Whether it’s Harbhajan’s magic in Chennai or Jadeja’s recent brilliance, these moments will be remembered as some of the best in Test cricket.
Also Read: IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Final Player List Released
