5 memorable seam bowling spells in cricket

3. Irfan Pathan

Pathan became the second Indian to take a Test hat-trick

Irfan Pathan, a left-arm medium Indian pacer is known to be one of the finest all-rounders to have played for India. But it’s his ability to swing the ball that brought him glory. The National Stadium in Karachi was on its feet when Pathan delivered one of the breath-taking spells in the history of Indian cricket.

Touring Pakistan in 2006, Irfan Pathan ripped through the opposition on a green surface in Karachi taking a hat-trick in the very first over of the match. It was an ecstatic display of swing bowling which made the Pakistan batsman helpless.

He became the only second Indian bowler after Harbhajan Singh to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. His sensational bowling of good seam and swing aiming at the stumps gave him figures 5-61.

2. Ishant Sharma

Ishant troubled the England batsmen with continuous bouncers

Ishant Sharma has played the role of India’s spearhead over the last few years. A right-hand fast bowler, he has been successful for India in overseas conditions because of his fast pace and quick delivery action.

Ishant Sharma stepped up to the occasion to do what was to be history by making India win a test match in lords after 30 years. A spell which destroyed the backbone of England batsman and gave Ishant his career best bowling figures of 7 for 74. An aggressive and powerful Ishant made good use of the seaming conditions and short ball in disturbing the English batsman. A long and continuous spell of fast and accurate short bowling was a sight to witness.