Javagal Srinath's top 5 bowling spells in Tests

There is something very fascinating about watching fast bowling, it invigorates the basal instincts of a cricket fan. For a country that seemingly considered fast bowling as a waste of useful energy, Kapil Dev emerged as the first successful pioneer of this art.

Many would argue that Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh were the initial torchbearers of fast bowling, but circumstances made sure that those initial sparks were extinguished in the country's quest of batsmanship and spin bowling in subsequent years.

Javagal Srinath burst onto the international scene in the 1991-92 tour of Australia. Standing at 1.91 m tall, the slim and wiry Srinath had a measured run-up, a high-arm and a strong shoulder action. He was, perhaps, the first genuine fast bowler India had produced. Kapil mainly brought the ball into the right-hander but had the ability to move it away on slightly helpful wickets.

He was the leader of the Indian pace attack throughout the 90s and early 2000s. He played 67 Tests, capturing 236 wickets at an average of 30.49.

We look back at some of his fine fast bowling spells:

#1 First real match-winning impact (1994)

On a pitch prepared to suit the triumvirate of Anil Kumble, Rajesh Chauhan and Venkatpathy Raju, Srinath scythed through the West Indies lineup in the fourth innings to bowl India to victory by 96 runs. He also contributed with a critical 60 runs lower down the order in India's second innings.

Sanjay Manjrekar and Sachin Tendulkar batted with consummate skill and patience on a difficult surface to provide India the upper hand. Javagal Srinath then bowled big in-dippers at express pace, to capture Stuart Williams, Carl Hooper, the obdurate Jimmy Adams and Courtney Walsh, ending with figures of 4 for 48 in the second innings.

His timely contribution of 60 and match tally of five wickets earned him the Man of Match award.

#2 Nemesis of South Africa (1996)

Srinath annihilated the South Africans at Ahmedabad in 1996

South Africa were greeted with a dust bowl in their first Test at Ahmedabad in 1996, on a pitch where batsmen struggled India conceded a lead of 21 runs in the first innings. Batting in their second dig, India could only make 190 as Allan Donald and Paul Adams captured critical wickets to derail the innings.

Defending a mere 169, India needed early inspiration which was duly delivered by Srinath in the very first over of the innings when he dismissed Andrew Hudson and Daryl Cullinan for ducks.

Needing a further 73 runs for victory with 6 wickets in hand, Srinath extinguished any hopes of a surprise result in a display of high-class reverse swing bowling. He demolished the middle and lower order to capture 6 wickets for 21 runs, sending South Africa crashing down to 105 all out.

#3 So near yet so far at the Wanderers (1997)

Another sparkling performance against South Africans, 1997

On a tour where the Indian team was hammered in the first two Tests by huge margins, Sachin Tendulkar's Indian side sensed a rare opportunity of an away victory at the Bullring.

Backed by the maiden century of Rahul Dravid (144) and an enterprising 73 by Sourav Ganguly, India posted a total of 410 in the first innings. Boosted by a big score on the board, Srinath put on a display of high-class seam bowling, capturing five wickets for 104 runs. He ensured a first-innings advantage by removing Cullinan, Hansie Cronje, Adam Bacher and Shaun Pollock.

This allowed India to have a critical 89 runs lead in the first innings. Rain, and a counter-attacking hundred from Daryll Cullinan, denied India a rare overseas victory.

#4 Twin displays in the Kolkata classic (1999)

Match figures of 13 for 132 runs at Kolkata, 1999

Srinath's finest display of his career was completely overshadowed by the twin yorkers delivered by Shoaib Akhtar to dismiss Dravid and Tendulkar. On a helpful first morning, Srinath ripped the heart out of the Pakistani top-order with a clinical display of seam bowling.

He took 5 for 46 in the first essay. At one point Pakistan were 6 for 26, but an enterprising rearguard by Salim Malik and Moin Khan ensured some respectability.

In the second innings, Pakistan, leading by 38 runs and backed by a classy century by Saeed Anwar, looked set for a big total. Srinath delivered an inspiring spell of fast bowling with the second new ball to bring the Pakistani innings to an abrupt halt. He took 8 wickets for 86 in the second essay.

A scintillating display of reverse swing by Akhtar and Wasim Akram ensured Srinath's efforts ended in a losing cause.

#5 Leading the pace attack in Port Elizabeth (2001)

Srinath was in full flow against South Africa

Right through the 1990s, India yearned for an able backup for Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. The lack of a quality third seamer ensured that the opposition could always get away from pressure situations.

Having lost the first test, India won the toss and elected to bowl on a helpful Port Elizabeth pitch. Javagal Srinath was in full flow against his favourite opponents once again. Fresh from a five-wicket haul in the previous Test, Srinath put on a bowling clinical spell of controlled seam and swing bowling to capture six wickets in the first innings.

The two-man pace attack of Srinath and Ajit Agarkar were no match for the sustained hostility of the hosts. Srinath's bag of six wickets ensured India restricted South Africa to 362 in their first innings.

It was a special performance, but the lack of able support ensured that victory on South African soil remained elusive.