On June 7, the venerable Oval cricket ground will host a clash of titans. Australia and India will square off in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, each team striving to etch a new chapter in their remarkable cricketing sagas.
Australia, an ever-intimidating cricketing giant, will be seeking to add another world title to their impressive trophy cabinet. India, on the other hand, is determined to snap their decade-long dry spell in ICC tournaments.
India’s recent ascendancy over Australia, evident in their triumphs in the last four Test series, promises a riveting contest. As the key architects of these victories, India’s bowlers hold a pivotal role in the impending WTC final.
Join us as we step into the time machine, revisiting the top five bowling spells by India in the 2021-23 WTC cycle:
#5 The Ashwin Show – 5 for 37 vs Australia, 2023 The Nagpur pitch became R Ashwin’s playground when Australia, trailing by 223 runs, stepped out for their second innings. Ashwin’s cunningly spun balls were too much for the Aussies, except Steve Smith. His masterful bowling bundled them out for 91, earning him his 31st five-wicket haul in Tests with figures of 5/37.
#4 Bumrah’s Brilliance – 5 for 24 vs Sri Lanka, 2022 In Bengaluru, during a day-night Test match, Jasprit Bumrah turned into a nightmare for Sri Lanka. His maiden five-wicket haul on home soil ensured Sri Lanka capitulated for 109, giving India a 143-run lead. Despite Dimuth Karunaratne’s valiant century, India emerged victorious, thanks to Bumrah’s tour-de-force.
#3 Ashwin Wheels Magic – 6 for 91 vs Australia, 2023 On the relatively flat Ahmedabad pitch, R Ashwin bowled a marathon 47 overs to secure his 32nd five-wicket haul and second of the series. Despite his stellar performance, the match ended in a draw. But it was enough to cement India’s place in the WTC final.
#2 Thakur’s Triumph – 7 for 61 vs South Africa, 2022 Shardul Thakur emerged as a potent force for India, particularly in overseas conditions. During the second India-South Africa Test, Thakur’s magnificent bowling ripped through the South African line-up, earning him a personal best of 7 for 61. Despite India’s inability to capitalise on Thakur’s success, his spell was a thing of beauty.
#1 Jadeja’s Joy – 7 for 42 vs Australia, 2023 Ravindra Jadeja ensured the Border-Gavaskar trophy stayed with India after a stellar performance in Delhi. Australia began the day at a respectable 61 for 1, only to be dismantled by Jadeja’s lethal arm balls. They crumbled for 113, leaving India to chase a modest 115, and, thus, the trophy was retained.
As we gear up for the WTC final, these top five spells serve as a reminder of the sheer bowling prowess India possesses – a formidable challenge for Australia to overcome.
