Five Batsmen who devoured Indian Bowling

#4 Sir Ian Botham (England)

Ian Botham regularly demolished the Indian bowling attack with his batting

Known as one of the greatest all-rounders to play the game, Ian Botham was frequently compared with India’s finest product Kapil Dev. Although the more famous achievements of the English all-rounder have come against the Australians, he reserved his batting special against India.

While the career batting average of Ian Botham meandered around 33.54, his average against India climbed a few paces and ended at an amazing 70.64 in 14 Tests including five Test hundreds. His batting average did not even exceed 41 versus any other nations.

The most impressive part about Botham’s performances against India is the way he performed in sub-continent. In the Mumbai Test of 1980, Botham exhibited his world-class all-round skills. He first skittled India for 242 with his 6/58. Then resurrected the English innings from 58/5 with his extraordinary innings of 114. He once again floored India with 7/48 and won England the match single-handedly.

Botham ended up with twin centuries against India in consecutive Tests played in England. His last innings versus India at the Oval was a whirlwind 208 scored from only 226 balls in 1982.