Top 5 batting performances in Tests by Indian spin legends

#1 Harbhajan Singh, 115 vs New Zealand at Ahmedabad, 2010

The Turbanator’s valiant 115 turned out to be a match-saving innings for India

In addition to being one of India’s best ever spinners, Harbhajan Singh was a more than useful lower order batsman as he often rescued India on a couple of occasions with the bat. However, the biggest of such occasions came in 2010 when New Zealand were touring India.

It was the very first Test at the Motera and India scored 487 in their innings thanks to tons from Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid and a crucial 69 from Harbhajan at the twilight of the innings. In reply, New Zealand made 459, riding on centuries from Jesse Ryder and debutant Kane Williamson.

However, in the second innings, the Indian batting was faltering as Chris Martin was tearing apart the batsmen with his sensational bowling and India found themselves wobbling at 65/6 with the possibility of a defeat imminent.

At this point, Harbhajan Singh came in and along with VVS Laxman survived the remainder of Day-4. On the next day, came one of the most important innings from an Indian tail-ender as Harbhajan played one beautiful shot after another and finally brought up his maiden Test century by hitting a gutsy inside-out six off Daniel Vettori. His innings of 115 rescued India from a defeat and won him the Man of the Match award; one of those rare occasions where Harbhajan won the award because of his batting.