5 best bowling spells by Indian bowlers against Sri Lanka

From an Indian perspective it had always been a treat to watch the bowlers perform well in front of Lankan batting giants like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu and others. Both the teams had the best crop of batsmen for over two decades. So, getting the better of the opposition batsmen always meant something special.

Another grueling Test rivalry is about to begin between India and Sri Lanka in the Island nation. The fans will get to witness some more memorable bowling spells and hence will create more memories for a lifetime. Let us now go down the memory lane to recall some of the best Indian bowling performances against Sri Lanka over the years.

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin: 5/42, 2nd Test at Colombo, Aug 20-Aug 2015

India were 1-0 down in the three match Test series after losing the first Test at Galle. The match was equally poised till the third day of the match. India had gained a slender first innings lead of 87 runs after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 306 in reply to India’s first innings total of 393 all out.

India then built on their first innings lead of 87 and declared on a second innings score of 325/8 after the second session on Day 4. Sri Lanka had been given a target of 413 runs to chase down. With only one and a half day remaining, the match seemed to be headed towards a draw.

Extra cover: Top 5 wicket-takers in Tests between India and Sri Lanka

However, Ravichandran Ashwin had other ideas. He spun a web around the Sri Lankan batsmen with his off-spin and totally uprooted the top-order. Sri Lanka were ultimately bowled out for 134 inside 44 overs as the match came to an end with a day of play remaining. Ashwin’s victims included that of Kaushal Silva (1), Dimuth Karunaratne (46), Kumar Sangakkara (18), Lahiru Thirimanne (11) and Dhamika Prasad (0). He ended up with a spell of 16-6-42-5 and his two wickets in the first innings took his match figures to 7/118.

#2 Harbhajan Singh: 6/102, 2nd Test at Galle, Jul 31-Aug 3, 2008

Harbhajan Singh

This match is mostly remembered for Virender Sehwag’s magnificent knock of 201*. However, most people forget the contribution of Harbhajan Singh with the ball which was on par with Sehwag’s fabulous innings.

Batting first, it was solely Sehwag’s unbeaten 201 that took India to a first innings total of 329 all out. However, Harbhajan's efforts with the ball helped India to get a valuable 37 run lead over the hosts. He ran through the Sri Lankan top and middle order when other bowlers were finding it difficult to trouble them.

His victims included Malinda Warnapura (66), Kumar Sangakkara (68), Tilakaratne Dilshan (0), Thilan Samaraweera (14), Prasanna Jayawardene (24) and Muttiah Muralitharan (0). He ended up with bowling figures of 6/102 in the first innings as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 292.

Sri Lanka did well to bowl India out for 269 in the second innings thus finding a target of 307 runs. However, Harbhajan trumped them this time as well. He claimed a 4-wicket haul as Sri Lanka got bowled out for 136 runs. India thus won the match by 170 runs and Harbhajan ended up with match figures of 10/ 153.

#3 Zaheer Khan 4/76, 2nd Test at Kandy, Aug 22-Aug 26, 2001

Zaheer Khan

It was one of those rare matches which saw a rare spell of fabulous swing bowling in the island nation. The wickets in Sri Lanka mostly favour the spinners and they always had the upper hand as compared to the fast bowlers. However, Zaheer Khan produced one of the most breathtaking spells of fast bowling in India-Sri Lanka Test match history in the second Test of the three match series at Kandy.

Sri Lanka had done a commendable job as they defended their first innings total of 274 runs and gained a 42-run lead over India. They were looking to pile up runs in the second innings. However, a magical spell of swing bowling from Zaheer Khan broke the back-bone of the Lankan batting line-up.

None of Sanath Jayasuriya (6), Kumar Sangakkara (13), Mahela Jayawardene (25) and Russell Arnold (4) could deal with his deliveries as Sri Lanka lost half of their side for a mere 100 runs. Although Venkatesh Prasad claimed a 5-wicket haul, Zaheer khan’s furious spell overshadowed him. He ended up with a spell of 4/76

India later chased down the target of 264 runs with 7 wickets remaining. Zaheer Khan’s match figures of 7/ 138 played a vital role in the tie.

#4 S Sreesanth 5/75, 2nd Test at Kanpur, Nov 24-Nov 28, 2009

Sreesanth

This was the second Test of Sri Lanka’s 2009 Tour of India played at Kanpur. Batting first, India had piled up a mammoth score of 642 runs riding on centuries from Gautam Gambhir (167), Virender Sehwag (131) and Rahul Dravid (144). The Lankan batsmen were already under pressure and a fabulous bowling spell from S Sreesanth made it more difficult for them.

Having lost Dilshan early to Zaheer Khan, Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana had led the Sri Lankan recovery with a stand of 82 runs. However, Sreesanth came back for another spell and demolished the rest of the line-up with a 5-wicket haul.

His victims included Tharanga Paranavitana (38), Kumar Sangakkara (44), Thilan Samaraweera (2), Prasanna Jayawardene (39) and Rangana Herath (11). He ended up with figures of 22-4-75-5. He claimed 1/47 in the second innings also as India recorded a victory by an innings and 144 runs.

#5 Anil Kumble 6/72, 2nd Test at Delhi, Dec 10-Dec 14, 2005

Anil Kumble

This was one of the most grueling Test matches between India and Sri Lanka which saw the two spin maestros, Muttiah Muralitharan and Anil Kumble, at their best. Muralitharan’s spell of 7/100 had rattled India for a total of 290 runs in the first innings at Delhi.

Anil Kumble, however, gave a fitting reply with his spell of 6/72 in Sri Lanka’s first innings as they fell short of the Indian first innings total by 60 runs. The Sri Lankans had begun very well as they were 175/2 at one stage. However, Kumble came on to bowl and turned the tide in India’s favour.

First, he dismissed a well-set Mahela Jayawardene (60) and followed it up with the quick wickets of Thilan Samaraweera (1) and Tilakaratne Dilshan (0). Sri Lanka were thus reduced to 179/5 within moments. Sometime later, he also accounted for Marvan Atapattu (88) to reduce Sri Lanka further to 198/6. And he finished it off with the wickets of Chaminda Vaas (1) and Muralitharan (9). Sri Lanka were thus bowled out for 230 runs.

India then batted well in the second innings as they declared on a score of 375/6 leaving a target of 436 for Sri Lanka. However, Kumble again launched an assault on the Lankan batsmen with a 4-wicket haul. Sri Lanka were thus bowled out for 247 runs as a result of his superb bowling spell. India thus won the match by 188 runs.