Top 5 spells by Ashish Nehra in international cricket

#1 6/23 vs England (Durban – 2003 World Cup)

Nehra was on a roll in his unchanged 10-over spell.

By the time the 2003 World Cup came around, Ashish Nehra's career had reached a crossroads of sorts. It had been only four years since his international debut and two years after his ODI debut, but inconsistency and injuries had forced him down the pecking order in India's list of pace-bowlers.

India went into the league clash against England in Durban on the verge of qualifying for the Super Six. Defending just 250, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan had done some early damage, as England were reduced to 18/2 in seven overs. Ganguly then brought Nehra into the attack in the thirteenth over: what followed was a brilliant spell of fast bowling.

Coming over the wicket, Nehra bowled at a good pace (over 140 kmph), moving the ball both ways. He cramped the batsmen for room and never allowed them to free their arms. Despite suffering from a swollen ankle, Nehra bowled 10 overs unchanged, picking up 6/23, completely bamboozling the English batsmen. Five out of his six wickets were caught behind (keeper or slips), indicating that his line and length was impeccable.

The spell guided India to an emphatic 82-run win.