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

#2 Against Australia in Bangalore (2008) – 13 wickets (81.25%)

Ishant Sharma bowled brilliantly in the 2008 series against Australia

In 2008, India and Australia played two Test series in the span of 10 months. After losing the controversial series down under 2-1, India were aiming to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

On a good batting track, the Aussies made a good start after winning the toss and batting first. Centuries from skipper Ricky Ponting (123) and Michael Hussey (146) put the visitors in a dominant position. But Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma (sharing 9 wickets) helped India restrict the visitors to 430. The left-armer picked up his maiden Test five-wicket haul on home soil.

India, in their first innings, were in trouble at 232/7 and in danger of conceding a big first innings lead. However, a spirited lower-order batting display helped India reach 360. Zaheer (57*) and Harbhajan Singh (54) not only struck vital fifties but more also batted time.

The fast bowlers bowled well again in the second innings as they restricted the run-flow and picked up four wickets. In particular, Ishant was impressive as he registered figures of 3/46). Australia declared early on the fifth morning to set India a target of 299 from 83 overs.

Sachin Tendulkar (49) and VVS Laxman (42*) played gritty knocks to help India salvage a draw. On a flat pitch, the Indian seamers showed a lot of heart as they picked 13 out of the 16 Aussie wickets to fall.