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Top 5 Test match spells in the last decade by Indian bowlers in Australia

Ever since the Ganguly led Indian team beat the Aussies at Home in 2001, tests between India and Australia have become one of the most-watched games in World Cricket. The rivalry ignited by Ganguly and Co was taken to the next level by Kohli’s men. Whether it is batting or bowling, a good performance against Australia is remembered more than the others due to the popularity of the rivalry.

Here we take a look at five top spells of bowling by Indians in this century in Australia,

5. Zaheer Khan 5/95, Brisbane, 2003

This was the first test that the great Indian team led by Sourav Ganguly played in Australia and obviously expectations were huge. Indian fans’ hope for a first series victory in Australia increased after Zaheer’s five-wicket haul in the very first day.

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Aussie’s openers got off to a steady start before Khan struck by dismissing Hayden. He kept bowling in and around the off stump and invited the batsmen to drive. This strategy worked well as Katich and Gilchrist were caught poking while Ponting mistimed a trademark pull and was caught by Parthiv Patel. India would go on to draw the Test after an overall satisfying performance.

4. Anil Kumble 5/84, Melbourne, 2007

This is a game which is remembered more for the umpiring errors but Kumble produced a masterful spin bowling performance on the first day which is barely remembered. He first broke the 135 run opening stand by dismissing Phil Jacques and then trapped Michael Hussey plumb in front of the stumps.

His third victim was Symonds who holed out to midwicket while Gilchrist departed after trying a slog sweep. He dismissed Brett Lee to register a five-wicket haul in the first day of a Test in Australia, which is an outstanding achievement for a spinner.

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3. Mohammed Shami 6/56, Perth, 2018

Shami was expensive and did not pick up a wicket in the first innings but made amends with a stunning performance in his second outing. He removed Marsh with a brutal bouncer while Travis Head was caught at the third man after throwing his bat a wide delivery.

Another pinpoint bouncer was too good for Tim Paine and Finch was caught down leg in the next ball. Finally, He dismissed Nathan Lyon to collect his career-best figures.

2. Ajit Agarkar 6/41, Adelaide, 2003

Agarkar orchestrated arguably India’s most famous victory away from home with a memorable spell. Australia scored a mammoth 556 runs in the first innings and few would have expected them to lose after that batting performance.

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Australia only had a 33 run lead and Agarkar removed Langer with a superb inswinger at the beginning of the third innings. Soon, he dismissed Ponting for a duck to increase India’s chances of winning the test match. Later in the day, He castled Bichel with a peach of an outswinger and made short work of the Australian tail.

1. Jasprit Bumrah 6/33, Melbourne, 2018

Two days into the test everyone thought this was a dead wicket and something magical was needed to infuse some energy into the game. Magic is what Bumrah produced as an unplayable dipping yorker to dismiss Shaun Marsh was the turning point in that game. He disturbed the stumps to dismiss Head and Paine nicked behind to give Bumrah his fourth.

Two vintage yorkers meant that Bumrah registered the best performance by an Indian fast bowler since Kapil’s eight-wicket haul. India would subsequently go on to win the game and the series, thanks to Bumrah’s heroics.

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