Top five best bowling figures by Indian captains in Test cricket
Being the captain of the Indian cricket team is a highly esteemed yet challenging position. In a nation that is obsessed with cricket, the captain of the national team is constantly the subject of intense scrutiny.
In addition to being in charge of making decisions on the field, a captain must also consistently deliver strong individual performances.
Only very few times in Indian cricket history have bowlers and all-rounders been tasked with captaining the Test team. Being a bowler and captain, he must set aside his personal shortcomings as a bowler and remain vigilant as a captain. Despite their limited number, some of the bowling captains have pulled off memorable performances for India.
Let's take a look at the five best bowling figures by Indian captains in Test cricket. The list involves a spin maestro and arguably the greatest fast bowler that the country ever produced.
5. Bishan Singh Bedi – 5/27 vs New Zealand, 1976, Wankhede
In the second innings of New Zealand's 1976 tour of India, then-captain Bishan Singh Bedi tangled his web around the team's batting to take 5/27 in the Wankhede Test. Chasing a total of 304, New Zealand were outclassed by Bedi’s brilliance and were bundled for 141, handing India a win by 161 runs.
Bedi’s variations saw him strike at regular intervals as New Zealand never really took control of the run chase. India won the three-match test series 2-0 thanks to Bedi's spell, which set the tone for the match.
4. Kapil Dev – 6/77 vs West Indies, 1983, Delhi
India hosted the West Indies for a six-match test series shortly after winning the World Cup in 1983. In the second test at Delhi, Kapil Dev was the star of the show for India in the first innings, picking up 6/77.
With centuries from Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar, India amassed a massive 464 runs in a drawn test where the bat dominated the ball. Then, Dev’s genius with the ball saw India restricting West Indies to 384 runs, and taking a handy lead of 80 runs. Kapil’s 6/77 included key wickets of Sir Vivian Richards and then West Indies captain Clive Lloyd. The game ended in a draw and Dilip Vengsarkar was named Player of the Match for his 159 and 63-run scores.
3. Bishan Singh Bedi – 6/71 vs England, 1977, Bengaluru
In the 1977 series' Bengaluru test, Bedi led the team and produced a match-winning spell against England. His 6/71 in the second innings guided the Indian team to victory.
Bedi changed his pace on a pitch that helped the spinners, leaving the English team bewildered as they chased a massive target of 318. India won the match by 140 runs after bowling England out for 177 in their second innings.
2. Kapil Dev – 8/106 vs Australia, 1985, Adelaide
With his 8/106 in the 1985 Adelaide test, then-Indian captain Kapil Dev stunned the Australian batting order. During his spell, Kapil displayed a great deal of discipline and fast bowling.
Kapil was the only Indian bowler to be effective on a flat track where Australia scored 381 runs in their opening innings. Australia was prevented from surpassing 400 thanks to Kapil's bowling performance.
India responded brilliantly, taking a 139-run lead after scoring 520 runs in their first innings. The game resulted in a draw. Kapil Dev's eight wickets and 38 runs with the bat earned him the Player of the Match award.
1. Kapil Dev – 9/83 vs West Indies, 1983, Ahmedabad
In 1983, Kapil Dev, who is regarded as India's greatest all-round player, took 9/83 against the West Indies at Ahmedabad, his best bowling performance as a captain and as a player in test cricket. This spell was special as it came against the power-packed mighty West Indies.
After India had given up a 40-run deficit in the first innings, they fought back courtesy of Kapil's flawless line and length. He missed out on picking all 10 wickets in the innings.
However, West Indies completed a comprehensive victory by 138 runs, thanks to Michael Holding’s all-round efforts.
Cover Credits - Hindustan Times
Leave a Reply