Best Indian Bowling Performances in Test History

India has traditionally been known as a batting powerhouse, but over the decades, the bowlers have delivered some truly unforgettable moments in Test cricket. From magical spells on turning Indian tracks to heroic performances on seaming foreign pitches, Indian bowlers have stepped up time and again to script historic victories.

In this blog, we celebrate the best Indian bowling performances in Test history—spells that turned matches, created history, and made legends out of ordinary men.

1. Anil Kumble – 10/74 vs Pakistan (1999, Delhi)

This spell is etched in golden letters in the history of Test cricket. Anil Kumble became only the second bowler in the world (after Jim Laker) to take all 10 wickets in a single Test innings. It came in the second innings of a high-stakes match against Pakistan at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

• Match figures: 14/149
  
  

• Result: India won by 212 runs
  
  

Kumble’s accuracy, determination, and relentless pressure dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup. It remains arguably the most iconic among the best Indian bowling performances in Test history.

2. Jasprit Bumrah – 6/27 vs West Indies (2019, Kingston)

When India toured the Caribbean in 2019, Jasprit Bumrah was already establishing himself as a lethal force in Test cricket. But it was in Kingston where he delivered a fiery spell of 6/27, breaking the backbone of the West Indies batting lineup.

• Match figures: 7/33
  
  

• Strike rate: 10.8
  
  

• Result: India won by 257 runs
  
  

Bumrah’s reverse swing, toe-crushing yorkers, and pinpoint accuracy marked this spell as one of the best fast bowling performances by an Indian in overseas Tests.

3. Narendra Hirwani – 8/61 & 8/75 vs West Indies (1988, Chennai)

On debut, Narendra Hirwani stunned the cricketing world with his leg-spin wizardry. Facing a powerful West Indian lineup, the 19-year-old picked up 16 wickets in the match—the best debut performance in Test cricket history to this day.

• Match figures: 16/136
  
  

• Result: India won by 255 runs
  
  

Hirwani’s debut remains one of the most remarkable stories in Indian cricket, and easily one of the best Indian bowling performances in Test history.

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4. Ajaz Patel – Wait, That’s Not Indian!

You're right—but worth mentioning here is that India was on the receiving end of a historic bowling performance too! New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel took all 10 wickets against India in Mumbai in 2021. But let's get back to Indian heroes.

5. Harbhajan Singh – 7/123 & 8/84 vs Australia (2001, Kolkata)

The 2001 series against Australia is often called the turning point for Indian cricket—and Harbhajan Singh was its hero. His match-winning spell in the famous Kolkata Test not only earned India a comeback win but also included a sensational hat-trick—the first by an Indian in Tests.

• Match figures: 13/196
  
  

• Hat-trick: Ponting, Gilchrist, Warne
  
  

• Result: India won by 171 runs (after following on)
  
  

This spell not only changed the match but also shifted the balance of world cricket. It remains one of the best bowling performances by an Indian spinner.

6. Ishant Sharma – 7/74 vs England (2014, Lord’s)

In 2014, India ended a 28-year drought by winning a Test at Lord’s, and it was Ishant Sharma who delivered the goods. On a tricky Day 5 pitch, Ishant bowled short and aggressive, bouncing out England’s middle order with a barrage of hostile deliveries.

• Second innings figures: 7/74
  
  

• Match-winning spell on Day 5
  
  

• Result: India won by 95 runs
  
  

This performance showed the evolution of Indian fast bowling and remains one of the top Indian bowling performances in Test history, especially overseas.

7. Ravichandran Ashwin – 7/59 vs New Zealand (2016, Indore)

Ravichandran Ashwin has been India’s spin spearhead for over a decade, and his performance against New Zealand in 2016 stands out. On a crumbling pitch, Ashwin spun a web around the Kiwi batters, picking up 13 wickets in the match.

• Match figures: 13/140
  
  

• Player of the Match and Series
  
  

• Result: India won by 321 runs
  
  

Ashwin’s control, variation, and ability to pick wickets under pressure have made him one of the most reliable bowlers in Indian Test history.

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8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 6/82 vs England (2014, Nottingham)

Though known for his white-ball prowess, Bhuvneshwar Kumar shone bright in the 2014 Test series in England. His 6-wicket haul at Trent Bridge showed his skill with swing bowling in helpful conditions.

• First innings figures: 6/82
  
  

• Match figures: 9 wickets
  
  

• Result: Draw
  
  

His performance was a reminder of India’s growing pace battery, and how even non-express pacers could succeed with skill and precision.

9. Kapil Dev – 9/83 vs West Indies (1983, Ahmedabad)

Before the Bumrahs and Ishants, it was Kapil Dev who carried India’s fast-bowling hopes. His 9-wicket haul against West Indies—one of the most dominant teams of the era—was a career-defining moment.

• Figures: 9/83
  
  

• Best bowling by an Indian pacer at home
  
  

• Result: India lost, but Kapil’s magic shone bright
  
  

This performance is still remembered as one of the finest Indian bowling spells of the pre-modern era.

10. Mohammed Shami – 5/44 vs South Africa (2021, Centurion)

India’s win at Centurion in 2021 was historic, and Mohammed Shami’s fiery spell played a crucial role. With movement off the pitch and relentless pressure, Shami broke the South African resistance.

• Match figures: 8 wickets
  
  

• First innings: 5/44
  
  

• Result: India won by 113 runs
  
  

Shami’s ability to pick wickets in bunches makes him one of the key pacers in India’s modern Test era.

Final Thoughts

The best Indian bowling performances in Test history have come from both spinners and pacers—each one crafting magic in different conditions. Whether it's Kumble's 10-fer, Harbhajan’s hat-trick, or Bumrah’s destruction with reverse swing, these moments have defined India’s journey in Test cricket.

Indian bowling has truly evolved into a match-winning force, especially in the last decade. And with new stars like Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja continuing the tradition, the future looks bright.

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