Top 5 best bowling figures by Australian bowlers against India in test cricket

For Australia, Nathan Lyon has taken the most wickets against India in test cricket.

The Australian cricket team first clashed with the Indian cricket team in 1947/48. It was a five-match test series at home and they hammered the Asian side 4-0.

Results not too dissimilar followed in the next few decades before India started fighting back, registering their maiden test series win over Australia in the 1979/80 series at home. Things started to get even out from thereon as India gradually became a dominant force at home.

In the 21st century, Australia registered a series win in India in 2004/05. However, India recorded history in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 series to win consecutive series on Australian soil.

Australia still lead India on head-to-head in test cricket. This has been made possible on the back of strong bowling performances from their bowlers.

On that note, let’s look at the top five best innings figures by Australian bowlers against India in test cricket.

Top five best bowling figures by Australian bowlers against India in test cricket:

5. Ray Lindwall – 7/38, Adelaide, 1948

On India’s maiden trip to Australia in 1947/48, right-arm fast bowler Ray Lindwall recorded excellent bowling figures of 7/38 in the fourth test of the series in Adelaide.

This effort from Lindwall came in India’s second innings after the hosts had enforced the follow-on. His 7-for in less than 17 overs bowled the visitors out for 277 runs. Australia won the match by an innings and 16 runs. Lindwall’s record of 7/38 stood for 44 years.

4. Mike Whitney – 7/27, Perth, 1992

Left-arm seamer Mike Whitney broke Lindwall’s record with figures of 7/27 in the Perth test of the 1991/92 home series against India.

Australia had set India a target of 442 runs and then Whitney’s 7-wicket haul in only 12.1 overs blew India away for 141 runs, sealing a victory by a huge margin of 300 runs.

3. Jason Krejza – 8/215, Nagpur, 2008

Off-spinner Jason Krejza played only two test matches in his career. His debut came against India in Nagpur in the 2008 series.

While he took eight wickets in India’s first innings, he conceded 215 runs at an economy of 4.90 in India’s total of 441. Krejza bowled VVS Laxman with one of the best deliveries seen in test cricket.

He took four wickets in the second innings but conceded runs at 4.61 per over. Australia lost the test by 172 runs, though Krejza bagged the Man of the Match award.

2. Nathan Lyon – 8/64, Indore, 2023

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon helped Australia script a famous victory in Indore on their tour in 2023. Australia had gained a first-innings lead of 88 runs, which was immensely crucial on an extremely spin-friendly track in Indore.

India were then bundled out for 163 runs in their second innings as Lyon ran through their batting order by taking eight wickets for 64 runs. Australia won the match by nine wickets.

1. Nathan Lyon – 8/50, Bengaluru, 2017

Nathan Lyon holds the record for the best bowling figures against India in an innings in test cricket with his 8/50 in the Bengaluru test in 2017.

On a spin-friendly pitch, India batted first and were bundled out for 189 runs, courtesy of Lyon’s 8-wicket haul that he claimed in 22.2 overs.

The match went down the wire and Australian batsmen couldn’t cope up with the pressure in the fourth innings as they lost the match by 75 runs, Lyon’s efforts going in vain.

(All stats are updated till 18th November 2024,)

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