Javagal Srinath's top 5 bowling spells in Tests
There is something very fascinating about watching fast bowling, it invigorates the basal instincts of a cricket fan. For a country that seemingly considered fast bowling as a waste of useful energy, Kapil Dev emerged as the first successful pioneer of this art.
Many would argue that Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh were the initial torchbearers of fast bowling, but circumstances made sure that those initial sparks were extinguished in the country's quest of batsmanship and spin bowling in subsequent years.
Javagal Srinath burst onto the international scene in the 1991-92 tour of Australia. Standing at 1.91 m tall, the slim and wiry Srinath had a measured run-up, a high-arm and a strong shoulder action. He was, perhaps, the first genuine fast bowler India had produced. Kapil mainly brought the ball into the right-hander but had the ability to move it away on slightly helpful wickets.
He was the leader of the Indian pace attack throughout the 90s and early 2000s. He played 67 Tests, capturing 236 wickets at an average of 30.49.
We look back at some of his fine fast bowling spells:
#1 First real match-winning impact (1994)
On a pitch prepared to suit the triumvirate of Anil Kumble, Rajesh Chauhan and Venkatpathy Raju, Srinath scythed through the West Indies lineup in the fourth innings to bowl India to victory by 96 runs. He also contributed with a critical 60 runs lower down the order in India's second innings.
Sanjay Manjrekar and Sachin Tendulkar batted with consummate skill and patience on a difficult surface to provide India the upper hand. Javagal Srinath then bowled big in-dippers at express pace, to capture Stuart Williams, Carl Hooper, the obdurate Jimmy Adams and Courtney Walsh, ending with figures of 4 for 48 in the second innings.
His timely contribution of 60 and match tally of five wickets earned him the Man of Match award.