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

#3 Murali Karthik – 3/32, Mumbai, 2004

Murali Karthik celebrates a wicket against Australia

Australia visited India in 2004 and were considered the strongest touring side ever. It also showed in their performance as they clinched the series in Nagpur itself, the third Test of the four-match series making the final Mumbai Test a dead rubber. The atmosphere and result of the match later proved that none of the India-Australia encounters could be considered as lifeless.

India won the toss and could only muster 104 runs against a strong Australian bowling attack. India too bowled well but Australia managed to take an important lead of 99 runs on a sluggish pitch. The hosts looked good at one stage at 182/4 on the back of half-centuries from Laxman and Tendulkar before Michael Clarke unfurled his golden arm and secured career best figures of 6/9. India were bowled out for 205 in the second innings with the lead of only 106 runs and staring at a defeat.

(Video Courtesy: Darting Eagles YouTube Channel)

Australia began their chase confidently and hoped to seal the series 3-0. But Murali Karthik bowled with extreme accuracy to scalp prize wickets of Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Clarke. Ponting was caught off Laxman at second slip while Martyn, the most assured batsman of the series, was trapped in front on the back foot in the same over. Michael Clarke was bowled few overs later with the superb quicker ball from the left armer.

In due course, Australia were dismissed for only 93 runs and India registered a highly unlikely victory by 13 runs. Murali Karthik was given the Man of the Match for picking up the important wickets. This was one of the best spells by an Indian spinner as Karthik broke the back of the mighty Aussie lineup.