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

#2 Anil Kumble 7/48, Chennai, 2004

Anil Kumble was always at his best against the Australians

Anil Kumble, the current coach of Indian cricket team, has to make this list thanks to his incredible performances against his favourite opposition, Australia. India hosted Australia for a four-match Test series in 2004. Australia, the No. 1 team in the world then, had won the first test comfortably by 217 runs.

Australia won the toss in the second Test in Chennai and elected to bat. As expected, there was no help for bowlers on the first day and the visitors started strongly with the score reading 136/0. Harbhajan dismissed the openers in the space of two balls which added energy to the Indian camp.

Then Kumble, with his experience, took over and triggered a collapse. Kumble first scalped Damien Martyn who was looking to settle; Darren Lehmann followed for a duck and the slide continued with one batsman after the other sent back to the pavilion by Kumble’s guile and accuracy. Apart from Martyn and Lehmann, Kumble picked up key wickets of Clarke and Gilchrist, and then the tail could not resist the legendary leg-spinner’s wily bowling.

Australia were bundled out for a meagre total of 235 from a strong position of 136/0 and 189/2, and Kumble finished with brilliant figures of 7/48. India batted well to take a lead of 141 runs but Australia in their second attempt, survived a scare of being bowled out early thanks to Martyn’s stroke-filled century and lower order resistance.

The match ended in a draw as rain played spoilsport but Kumble deservedly won the Man of the Match award for one of his best spells in Test cricket.