3 Indian cricketers who scored a fifty and picked up five wickets in the same ODI
Team India have produced some fantastic all-rounders in the one-day format over the years. The legendary Kapil Dev's name of course sits on top of the list. Apart from his wonderful exploits in Test cricket, he claimed 253 wickets in 225 ODIs at an average of 27.45. He also slammed 3783 runs at an excellent strike rate of 95.07 in the pre-powerplay era.
Manoj Prabhakar, who opened the batting and bowling for India on a quite a few occasions, also had an impressive ODI record. He claimed 157 wickets in 130 ODIs at an average of 28.87, with two five-wicket hauls. He also contributed 1858 runs, which included two hundreds and 11 fifties. Irfan Pathan and Ravi Shastri are some of the other prominent Indian all-rounders.
None of the above names, though, managed a fifty and claim five wickets in the same one-day match. In his feature, we look at three Indian players who have achieved the rare distinction of scoring a half-century and picking up five-wickets in the same ODI.
#1 Kris Srikkanth (5/27 & 70) vs New Zealand, 1988
Kris Srikkanth is a surprise name on the list. The former opener, known for his explosive hitting style, was the first Indian to score a fifty and claim a five-wicket haul in the same one-dayer. He achieved the feat against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam in December 1988 in the first ODI of a five-match series.
After India elected to field first, Srikkanth, a part-time off-spinner, scythed through New Zealand's batting line-up with figures of 5-27 from seven overs. Srikkanth dismissed Ken Rutherford (67), Trevor Franklin (21), Ian Smith (6), John Bracewell (12) and Chris Kuggeleijn (4). Kapil Dev claimed 2-16 as the Kiwis were held to 196-9 in their 50 overs.
In the chase, Srikkanth top-scored with 70 off 87 as India chased down the target in 46.2 overs to win by four wickets. The opener struck eight fours in his 87-ball knock before being dismissed by Bracewell. Mohammad Azharuddin also chipped in with 48* off 74 in India's hard-fought win.
#2 Sourav Ganguly (5-34 & 71*) vs Zimbabwe, 2000
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly amassed over 11000 runs in one-day cricket, but he was also a handy medium pacer, who claimed 100 scalps in the ODI format.
He became the second Indian cricketer to score a fifty and pick up five wickets in the same one-dayer, achieving the feat against Zimbabwe in Kanpur in December 2000.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first at Green Park in Kanpur in the fourth ODI of the five-match series.
Ganguly starred with 5-34 in 10 overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 165 in 45.4 overs. He dismissed Andy Flower (19), Stuart Carlisle (20), Grant Flower (6), Heath Streak (3) and Travis Friend (6) to complete a memorable five-fer. Pacer Ajit Agarkar also chipped in with 4-25.
Ganguly then led Team India's chase of 166, hammering an unbeaten 71 off 68. The left-handed batter struck 12 fours and a six in his impressive knock, adding 157 for the first wicket with Sachin Tendulkar (62 off 86). The hosts romped home to victory in 25 overs, with nine wickets in hand.
#3 Yuvraj Singh (5-31 & 50*) vs Ireland, 2011 World Cup
Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is the third player on the illustrious list of Indian cricketers to score a fifty and claim five wickets in the same one-day match. He had a sensational 2011 ODI World Cup, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, winning the Player of the Tournament.
In the group match against Ireland in Bengaluru, he claimed 5-31 from his 10 overs with his left-arm spin after the Men in Blue had won the toss and bowled first.
Yuvraj claimed the wickets of Andrew White (5), Kevin O'Brien (9), William Porterfield (75), John Mooney (5) and Alex Cusack (24). Ireland were bowled out for 207 in 47.5 overs as left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan also chipped in with 3-30.
Chasing a tricky target of 208, India lost Virender Sehwag (5) and Gautam Gambhir (10) cheaply. However, Yuvraj guided the innings with an unbeaten 50 off 75.
He occupied the crease for 108 minutes, hitting three fours in his defiant knock. Yuvraj added 67 for the fifth-wicket with MS Dhoni (34) and 43* for the sixth wicket with Yusuf Pathan (30) as India got home in 46 overs.