Top 5 bowling performances in the Indian home season of 2016-17

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin (6-41, India vs Australia, 2^nd Test match, 2^nd innings)

Ashwin picked up his 25^th 5-wicket haul

India were facing a rather grim situation in the early stages of the 2^nd Test match in Bengaluru. Australia already had a 1-0 lead in the series and they had taken a significant lead in the first innings. Things were looking down until the partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara settled some of the nerves.

But the job was not yet done. The Aussies needed only 188 in the fourth innings and they had enough firepower in their batting line-up to win the match and retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy. If only, they did not have to face Ravichandran Ashwin!

Yes, it was an all-round bowling performance that saw India apply a defibrillator to the series, but it was Ashwin who led the charge. On a cracking surface that offered variable bounce, 188 was difficult but definitely not impossible. But with the fall of every wicket, the pressure mounted on the Aussies. And with the fall of Peter Handscomb, who was running out of partners, all hopes were dashed.

Australia were bundled out for 112 as Ashwin picked up six wickets, his 25^th five-wicket haul, to help India script an unlikely victory. This win (by no less than 75 runs) boosted the Indians confidence, which eventually helped them to win the hard-fought series.