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

Sir Richard Hadlee has taken the most wickets for New Zealand against India in test cricket.

When we talk about test cricket, the spotlight generally is on the batsmen and their big scores. However, what can sometimes be ignored, but is crucial in deciding the outcome of the match, is how a single bowling spell can change the momentum of the game.

One exceptional spell with the ball can dismantle the opposition completely, leaving them a long way behind in the game.

New Zealand’s cricketing history is filled with legends. While they have had a few batting greats, their bowling department is considered their stronger suit.

The India vs New Zealand rivalry has been remarkable, underlined by some of the best individual performances in the history of the game. Renowned for their disciplined seam attack, the Kiwis have also seen a few of their spinners delivering emphatic performances on Indian soil.

In this article, we will look into the top five bowling figures by New Zealand bowlers against India in tests.

Here are the top five bowling figures by New Zealand bowlers against India in test cricket

5. Simon Doull – 7/65, 1998, Wellington

Simon Doull’s career-best bowling figures of 7/65 came against India in Wellington in 1998. Afer winning the toss and batting first, the Indian team were outclassed by Doull.

The pacer used the favourable overcast conditions to full effect to dismantle the Indian batting lineup with seam and swing. Doull’s brilliance ensured India were bowled out for just 208 runs in their first innings.

But, the fightback by the Indian batting lineup in their second innings could not prevent New Zealand from a four-wicket loss.

4. Tim Southee – 7/64, 2012, Bengaluru

Veteran Kiwi seamer Tim Southee etched his name in history books when he registered the bowling figures of 7/64 against India in the second test of the 2012 series in Bengaluru.

Southee’s brilliance came in India’s first innings. What makes him stand out in this list is the fact that he achieved this feat in India, and these are the best bowling figures by a Black Caps pacer in India.

Southee’s performance helped New Zealand take a narrow 12-run lead in the first innings. However, India still found a way to win the test by five wickets.

3. Mitchell Santner – 7/53, 2024, Pune

Kiwi left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner stunned India in the Pune test in 2024 with a seven-wicket haul. Batting first, New Zealand registered a competitive total of 259 runs on a spin-friendly surface.

Following up on his side’s comprehensive batting performance, Santner led the Kiwi bowling attack by taking seven wickets for just 53 runs. Santner’s heroics bundled India to a total of just 156 runs.

2. Sir Richard Hadlee – 7/23, 1976, Wellington

Regarded as the greatest New Zealand cricketer, Sir Richard Hadlee produced a magical spell of 7/23 against India in the Wellington test of India’s tour of New Zealand in 1976.

Hadlee’s brilliance came in the second innings of Indian batting when he produced a sensational spell of fast bowling in which he took seven wickets for only 23 runs. Thanks to Hadlee’s epic show with the ball, India were bundled out for just 81 runs in their second innings, losing the game by an innings and 33 runs.

1. Ajaz Patel – 10/119, 2021, Mumbai

Ajaz Patel created history by becoming only the third bowler in test cricket to take all ten wickets in an innings. Ajaz’s remarkable performance of 10/119 came against India in Mumbai during New Zealand’s tour of India in 2021.

Patel’s exhibition of superb spin-bowling helped New Zealand bowl India out for 325 in their first innings.

Ajaz’s performance, however, ended up in a losing cause due to New Zealand’s drastic batting collapse in the first innings where they were bundled out for just 62 runs. India eventually completed the victory by 372 runs.

(All stats updated till 25th October, 2024)

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