Top 5 best bowling figures by an Indian captain in Australia ft. Jasprit BumrahÂ
The Indian team thrived under pressure to dominate the proceedings in the first Test against Australia in Perth. After the end of Day 2, India are well in control at 172/0 in the second innings, with a lead of 218 runs.
Earlier, the stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah was sensational with his fiery spell to put India on the frontfoot in their defense of 150. Bumrah's attacking mindset was full on display, as he wanted to wrap up the Aussie innings quickly. His plan worked fairly well as India took the first innings lead of 46 runs and openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal continued the team's momentum.
Over the years, there have been numerous captains who have led India from the front with the ball in Australia. On that note, let's take a look at the best figures by an Indian captain Down Under.
#5 Bishan Singh Bedi - 5/89, Perth, 1977
One of the finest Indian spinners, Bishan Singh Bedi was the team's captain during the 1977-78 tour to Australia. After winning the first test in a close contest by only 16 runs, Australia were wary of India's strong challenge.
The first innings saw India posting a strong total of 402. In response, Madan Lal secured an early breakthrough for the Indian side. Then, it was all Bedi's show as he went on to finish with figures of 5/89 and help the visitors take a lead of eight runs.
However, the Indian team could not defend their 394-run target, as Australia won by two wickets. Interestingly, Bedi claimed five wickets in the second innings as well.
#4 Anil Kumble - 5/84, Melbourne, 2007
Ahead of the Australia tour in 2007, Anil Kumble was appointed as India's test skipper. In the opening test in Melbourne, Australia batted first and got off to a good start with Phil Jaques and Matthew Hayden. However, Kumble broke their 135-run stand by dismissing Jacques (66).
Kumble went on to dismiss Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee and finish with figures of 5/84. However, Hayden's century propelled Australia to 343.
In the end, Australia dominated the game to win by 337 runs.
#3 Bishan Singh Bedi - 5/55, Brisbane, 1977
The opening Test of the 1977-78 series between both teams in Brisbane witnessed Australia electing to bat first. After Mohinder Amarnath opened the floodgates for the Indian team, Bishan Singh Bedi got into the act.
The left-arm spinner weaved his magic by taking consistent wickets and putting Australia on the backfoot. He went on to finish with figures of 5/55, as Australia got all-out for 166.
The Australian bowlers were also impressive with their performances, as they helped the side to eventually win by 16 runs.
#2 Jasprit Bumrah - 5/30, Perth, 2024
Jasprit Bumrah has been a ray of hope for the Indian team across all the formats in the past few years. After being all-out for 150 in the first innings of the ongoing Test, India needed early breakthroughs to put pressure back on Australia.
Bumrah delivered at the right time for India, as his efforts paved the way for the visitors to make an emphatic comeback. The right-arm pacer trapped debutant Nathan McSweeney to infuse confidence into the Indian side. Then, he secured back-to-back wickets of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith and put Australia under incessant pressure.
Then, the stand-in skipper dismissed Alex Carey and Pat Cummins and finished with figures of 5/30. His performance helped the side to secure a lead of 46 runs in the first innings.
#1 Kapil Dev - 8/106, Adelaide, 1985
The Haryana Hurricane holds the best figures as an Indian captain in Australia. He achieved the feat during the Adelaide test in 1985. Kapil Dev secured early wickets of Wayne Phillips and Geoff Marsh to put Australia in a spot of bother.
Then, Dev dismissed his counterpart, Allan Border, one run shy of his half-century. Although, the right-arm pacer dismissed David Boon and Greg Ritchie, both players had scored centuries and helped the hosts to post 381. Dev finished the tail to end with figures of 8/106.
India responded strongly by scoring 520, riding on Sunil Gavaskar's heroic knock of 166. As a result, the game ended in a draw.