5 instances when India's fast bowlers overshadowed their spinners on home soil

#3 Against West Indies in Ahmedabad (1983) – 14 wickets (70%)

Kapil Dev took 9 wickets in the second innings

In the third Test of the 1983/84 series against West Indies, the Indian team played three fast bowlers (Kapil Dev, Balwinder Sandhu and Roger Binny) – something which was quite rare in home conditions.

But a lively Motera pitch demanded such a combination. After opting to bowl first, India didn’t quite make use of the conditions as West Indies posted 281. In what was expected to be a conducive surface for seam bowling, the Indian pacers picked up only four out of the ten wickets to fall. While Binny took 3/18, Kapil chipped in with 1/52.

In reply, India could only manage 241 and conceded a crucial 40-run lead. Under pressure to restrict the visitors to a decent total in the second innings, Kapil Dev came into his own as he took 9/83 to rattle the then intimidating West Indies team.

Chasing 242, India were bowled out for 103 and conceded a 2-0 lead. The result was not in favour of the hosts but the splendid spell of Kapil was a performance to cherish.