Top 5 bowling spells by an Indian bowler against Australia in India

#4 Javagal Srinath – 3/80, Kolkata, 1998

Javagal Srinath delivered one of the best opening spells in Test cricket

The India-Australia series was then named as Border-Gavaskar trophy and to regain that the Mark Taylor-led Australian side toured India in 1998. In the very first match of the series in Chennai, they lost by 179 runs.

After the drubbing in the series opener, the demoralised Aussies came out to bat first at Eden Gardens with the hope of levelling the series. But their confidence was dented further when India’s premier fast bowler, Javagal Srinath grabbed the wickets of Michael Slater and Blewett in the very first over of the match. Slater was caught by Dravid in the slips and Blewett by Mongia behind the wickets. Few overs later, Srinath struck again to dismiss Mark Waugh, one of Australia’s best batsmen and reduced Australia to 15/3.

(Video Courtesy: robelinda2 YouTube Channel)

Australia never recovered from these blows and were bowled out for 233. India in their first essay scored a mammoth 633 runs with each one of their top six going past fifty. Australia again crumbled in the second innings and lost the match by an innings and 219 runs.

Everyone hailed the performance of the Indian batting but it was Srinath’s excellent opening spell on day one which scripted one of the best Test victories for India.