Top five best bowling figures by Indian bowlers in Tests at the Gabba

The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly referred to as "The Gabba," has served as a stronghold for the Australian cricket team, with only a limited number of visiting teams achieving victory at this venue. India has participated in several Test matches at this venue, with the first one being in the 1947-48 tour.

Australia has an impressive track record at the Gabba in Brisbane, having suffered only two defeats in Test cricket at this ground since 1991. Their last two losses occurred against India in 2021 and against the West Indies during Australia's most recent Test match in Brisbane in 2024.

As for India, they have won only one test in seven encounters at the venue. However, their lone victory on the 2021 tour of Australia gave them a 2-1 Test series win as well. India has predominantly achieved victories in overseas Test matches due to the exceptional performances of their bowlers. While the contributions of the batters have been significant, it is the bowlers who have primarily been responsible for these successes in such scenarios.

In India's remarkable victory at the Gabba in 2021, Mohammed Siraj picked a five-wicket haul, marking him as one of the few to accomplish this feat.

Let’s examine the five most impressive bowling performances in a Test innings by Indian bowlers at this venue.

5. Zaheer Khan – 5/95, 2003

The 2003 Test match held in Brisbane between India and Australia marked the first occasion on which India succeeded in securing a draw at this particular venue. Australia scored 323 runs after being invited to bat first, largely due to a remarkable innings of 121 from Justin Langer.

Zaheer Khan emerged as India's premier bowler, achieving figures of 5/95. Among his notable dismissals were Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, who was dismissed without scoring, Simon Katich, and Adam Gilchrist, also out for a duck.

India replied with a total of 409 runs, led by captain Sourav Ganguly's contribution of 144 runs. Australia declared their innings at 284/3, with Matthew Hayden scoring 99 runs, thereby setting a target of 199 runs for India to secure a victory. India successfully avoided defeat, concluding the match at 73/2, resulting in a draw.

4. Mohammed Siraj – 5/73, 2021

Mohammed Siraj, in just his second Test match, was at the forefront of the Indian pace attack at the Gabba in Brisbane, following injuries sustained by Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammad Shami throughout the four-Test series in 2020-21. 

The series stood at 1-1, attributed to India's brilliant effort in securing a draw in the third test held in Sydney, leading to the decisive match at the Gabba. Australia batted first and posted 369 with Marnus Labuschagne making a century. India responded with a total of 336 runs, bolstered by a resilient effort from Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, both of whom scored half-centuries.

Australia was subsequently dismissed for 294 in their second innings, largely due to an outstanding performance by Mohammed Siraj, who achieved figures of 5/73, marking his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. It was an emotional moment for the pacer, who had lost his father back in India and couldn’t attend the funeral due to Covid-19 restrictions.

India won the test by 3 wickets as Shubman Gill (91) and Rishabh Pant (89*) led the charge. This triumph marks India's second consecutive test series win in Australia.

3. Madan Lal – 5/72, 1977

This match at the Gabba in Brisbane between India and Australia was a tightly contested affair, with the home team emerging victorious by a mere 16 runs. Australia opted to bat first, but were bowled out for 166 runs thanks to Indian spinners Bishan Bedi, and B Chandrasekhar, who collectively took seven wickets.

India responded with a total of 153 runs, with Wayne Clark claiming four wickets, while both Jeff Thomson and Tony Mann secured three wickets each. Australia subsequently scored 327 runs in their second innings, with captain Bob Simpson leading the team with a top score of 89.

For India, the damage was done by pacer Madan Lal, who took 5/72.  His victims included Paul Hibbert, Gary Cosier, Tony Mann, Steve Rixon, and Wayne Clark. Set 341 runs to win, India ultimately scored 324 runs. Sunil Gavaskar was the standout performer, contributing 113 runs, while Syed Kirmani added 55 runs to the total. However, the team fell short by 16 runs.

2. Bishan Singh Bedi – 5/55, 1977

In the aforementioned match between Australia and India at the Gabba in 1977, Bishan Singh Bedi played a crucial role in assisting India to dismiss Australia for a mere 166 runs in the first innings. Peter Toohey scored the highest with 82 runs, while Bishan Bedi took the wickets of notable players including David Oglivie, Craig Serjeant, Bob Simpson, Toohey, and Steve Rixon.

Four of Bedi’s wickets came for single-digit scores, while the top-scorer Toohey was bamboozled by Bedi’s mastery of spin.

1. Erapalli Prasanna – 6/107, 1968

This marked the third match of the 1968 series between Australia and India, held at the Gabba in Brisbane. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, Australia put up a stiff score of 379 runs with Doug Walters making 93 and Bill Lawry, Bob Cowper, and Paul Shehan scoring fifties.

India posted a total of 279 runs, with notable contributions from Rusi Surti, Tiger Pataudi, and M Jaisimha, each scoring half-centuries. Meanwhile, Eric Freeman and Bob Cowper each claimed three wickets. 

In the second innings, Australia extended their advantage by scoring 294 runs, thereby setting a target of 394 runs for India to achieve in order to secure victory. Ian Redpath scored 79 runs, while Walters contributed an unbeaten 62. However, it was the renowned Indian off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna who effectively restricted Australia from accumulating a higher total.

He claimed figures of 6/104, with notable victims such as Redpath, Ian Chappell, Barry Jarman, Eric Freeman, and David Renneberg. Although M Jaisimha scored a century and Rusi Surti along with Chandu Borde contributed with half-centuries, India could only muster 355 runs, resulting in a defeat by 39 runs in the test match.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official