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

#1 Against Sri Lanka in Kolkata (2017) – 17 wickets (100%)

Bhuvneshwar and Shami were exceptional, especially in the second innings.

On a grassy Eden Gardens track amidst overcast conditions, Sri Lanka won a crucial toss and opted to bowl first. Suranga Lakmal wreaked havoc in the 11.3 overs that was possible on the first day. The right-armer finished with figures of 6-6-0-3 as India ended day 1 on 17/3.

In tough conditions, India crawled their way to 172. Their three-pronged pace attack comprising of Bhuvneshwar, Shami and Umesh Yadav was expected to deliver for the team. After a lackluster start where they allowed Sri Lanka to reach 200/4, the Indian pacers came back really well to bowl the visitors out for 294.

It was the first time since 1983 that all ten wickets in a home Test innings were taken by India's fast bowlers. Shami and Bhuvneshwar took four wickets each and Umesh picked two. Trailing by 122, the Indian openers (in relatively easier conditions) dominated and helped wipe out the deficit without any loss. After a 166-run opening stand, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals which pegged them back. But a scintillating century from Kohli ensured that India set a target of 231.

With so much time lost due to rain on the first couple of days, a draw was on the cards and India had given themselves a little more than one session to bowl Sri Lanka out. But there was plenty of action and drama in the final session of the Test as Bhuvneshwar and Shami bowled fiery spells to leave Sri Lanka in tatters at 75/7. However, bad light forced the umpires to call off play and the visitors escaped with a draw.

Bhuvneshwar took 4/8 while Shami and Yadav combined to take 3 wickets. The seamers took all 17 wickets that fell and it was the first instance of India's spinners not picking a single wicket in a home Test.