Top 5 best match figures by spinners against India in test cricket

One spinner has taken a ten-wicket innings haul against India in test cricket.

The Indian cricket team is one of the dominant sides in world cricket. India’s recent performances in the home and away conditions have been tremendous.

They won two consecutive test series (2018-19 and 2020-21) in Australia. The Asian giants have mostly been an indomitable force at home in test cricket in the 21st century, losing only four home test series in the last 25 years.

However, there have been a few instances when opposition spinners have outclassed the great Indian batsmen with their superb skillset. These bowlers produced game-changing spells, which often shifted the momentum to their team’s favour, and sometimes even led to wins.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top five best match figures by spinners against India in test cricket. 

Top five best match figures by spinners against India in test cricket:

5. Jason Krejza (AUS) – 12/358 in Nagpur, 2008

During the Nagpur test in 2008, former Australian off-spinner Jason Krejza displayed a tremendous effort for the visitors.

Talking about the match, India scored 441 after Sachin Tendulkar notched up 109 runs. Krejza bagged an eight-wicket haul in his mammoth spell of 43.5 overs in the first innings.

In reply, Australia posted 355 runs on the back of Simon Katich’s fantastic century. India made 295 runs in their second innings after opener Virender Sehwag slammed 92 runs. Krejza took a four-wicket haul for the visitors.

Australia lost the match by 172 runs as they were all out for 209 runs while chasing.

4. Nathan Lyon (AUS) – 12/286 in Adelaide, 2014

Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon produced a match-winning effort against India in the Adelaide test in 2014.

Australia declared at 517/7 in the first innings. In reply, India scored 444 after Virat Kohli hammered a superb century while off-spinner Lyon took five wickets in his 36-over spell.

The hosts then set a big target of 364 runs for the visitors. While defending, Lyon delivered a match-winning spell and claimed a seven-wicket haul. Australia won the thrilling game of test cricket by only 48 runs.

3. Steve O’Keefe (AUS) – 12/70 in Pune, 2017

Australian left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe delivered one of the finest spin-bowling performances on Indian soil by an away bowler. This came during the Pune test in 2017.

Steve O’Keefe ran through the Indian batting line-up in both innings. The left-arm spinner returned figures of 6/35 and 6/35 in India’s two innings.

O’Keefe’s spell ensured Australia clinched the one-sided Pune test by a massive margin of 333 runs.

2. Mitchell Santner (NZ) – 13/157 in Pune, 2024

New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santer’s 13 wickets in the Pune test match in 2024 helped his side crush the Asian Giants by 113 runs. Santner’s 13/157 was one of the best bowling performances by a Kiwi bowler in India in test cricket.

Santner’s heroics also helped New Zealand break India’s 12-year winning streak at home and register New Zealand’s maiden test series win in India.

Talking about the match, New Zealand scored 259 in the first innings. India were then bundled out for 159 as Santner scalped seven wickets.

New Zealand then set a huge target of 359 after they scored 255 in the second innings. While defending the target, Santner once again was the star with the ball as he claimed six wickets. New Zealand won the test by 113 runs.

1. Ajaz Patel (NZ) – 14/225 in Wankhede, 2021

During the Wankhede test in 2021, New Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel scripted history by taking all 10 wickets in an innings. He became only the third bowler in test cricket to achieve this epic feat.

Batting first, India notched up 325 after Mayank Agarwal top-scored with 150. In a historic feat, Ajaz Patel bagged all 10 wickets of the hosts. Patel joined Jim Laker and Anil Kumble on this elite list.

Patel was also the first bowler to do it in an away test match. The left-arm spinner bagged a four-wicket haul in India’s second innings. However, New Zealand lost the match by 372 runs.

(All stats updated till 27th October, 2024)

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