Test cricket is all about taking 20 wickets, and no matter how many runs are plundered, the result boils down to the ability of the bowlers to bowl out the opposition twice. Hence, it is no surprise that a Test match springs to life when the bowlers rule the roost.
Over the years, there have been instances when bowlers have dominated proceedings to such an extent that the batsmen have been reduced to fleeing objects on the cricket field. More often than not, this is due to the fact that the pitches have offered exaggerated assistance to the bowlers, but then irrespective of all the assistance it is the skill and the pedigree of the bowlers which come to the fore.
Here in this list, we take a look at 6 such occasions over the past 10 years when 20 or more than 20 wickets have fallen.
#1 Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2nd Test, 2006
It was a match dominated by bowlers, but gritty half-centuries by Younus Khan and Imran Farhat saw Pakistan home by 8 wickets late in the 3rd day.
On a pitch which was tailor made for the bowlers, hosts Sri Lanka were 267 for eight at the end of the first day, which was a respectable total in the rather hostile conditions for the batsmen.
However, on the second day, the match jumped into frenetic mode as Mohammad Asif claimed the remaining wickets. However, Muttiah Muralitharan then assumed centre stage as he picked up 5 wickets for just 39 runs. Pakistan lost their last eight wickets for only 49 runs.
Sri Lanka started their second innings with a lead of 109 runs but were sliced through by an Asif spell and they ended the day at 73 runs for 8 wickets.
All in all, a total of 20 wickets fell in the day's play. Pakistan won the match by 8 wickets, thanks mainly to the composed innings of Younus and Farhat.
#2 South Africa v India, 1st Test, 2006
After an abysmal performance in the One-Day International series, India bounced back with some aplomb in the first Test match played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
The wrecker in chief was S Sreesanth who was on the song during the entire match and captured 8 wickets in the match. India batted first in tricky conditions and managed to put up 249 runs in their first innings.
In response, South Africa collapsed to 84 in their first essay, and they had no answers to Sreesanth's full length and prodigious swing.
In the second innings India slipped to 146/5 by the end of the second day, but by then the lead had grown to 311 runs. However, it was a field day for the bowlers as 20 wickets fell in the day.
Helped by VVS Laxman's 73, India set a target of 402 for South Africa. The hosts looked far more settled in their second essay but were eventually dismissed for 278 runs. This victory by 123 runs was India's first win on South African soil.
#3 India vs South Africa, 3rd Test, Nagpur, 2015
This was a series which was put under extreme scrutiny for the nature of pitches and for the prodigious turn on offer. South African batsmen were all at sea throughout the series and were spun out on all occasions. It also ended a 9-year unbeaten streak for South Africa on foreign soil.
The 3rd match of the series was played in Nagpur on a vicious turner. India won the toss and batted first and scored 215 runs. South Africa lost 2 wickets by the end of Day 1, and it looked as if it would be another struggle for the hosts.
The predictions were proved right when the Proteas were spun out for a paltry 79 runs. In response, India too were knocked over for just 173 runs. However, a target of 310 was always going to be a tough one for the visitors on a pitch which was spinning and bouncing all over the place.
By the end of the day's play, South Africa had already lost 2 wickets for just 32 runs. The sorry story continued the next day too and they were bundled out for 185 runs and handed India a 124-run victory.
#4 Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test, Galle, 2016
Australia came into the second match of the series after having suffered a shock defeat in the first match, but their woes against spin continued as they caved in once again to Sri Lanka's spinners in their first innings.
Rangana Herath claimed a hat-trick and 21 wickets had fallen in the day, as Australia collapsed for 106 runs, which is their lowest ever Test score against Sri Lanka.
The second day started with Australia resuming at 54 runs for 2 wickets when tragedy struck and they were left fumbling for answers against the spin of Dilruwan Perera and Rangana Herath, and were shot out for a paltry 106 runs, and handed Sri Lanka a lead of 175 runs.
Sri Lanka started their second innings in a positive vein and piled on the runs and when they were eventually dismissed for 237 runs, the lead had swelled to 412 runs.
Chasing the humongous target of 413, Australia were reduced to 25/3 by the end of the day's play.
All in all, 33 wickets have fallen in the first two days, which is the most number of wickets to have fallen in Sri Lanka.
#5 New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, Napier, 2012
In a rather unprecedented state of affairs, host New Zealand shot out Zimbabwe twice in one day. In this process, New Zealand won by an innings and 301 runs.
Chris Martin claimed 8 wickets for 31 in the day and was supported by Doug Bracewell.
Earlier New Zealand had scored 495 runs in their first innings and ended their essay on the third day. What followed was absolute mayhem as Zimbabwe were rolled over for 51 in their first innings and then for 143 runs in their second innings.
All in all, a total of 22 wickets fell in the day, and not very surprisingly, Zimbabwe were found well short of the target and were never quite in contention.
#6 South Africa vs Australia, Cape Town, 2011
Two days and quite a bit, this was all it took for the first match of the series between South Africa and Australia get over, and it was a nail-biting affair all through.
As many as 23 wickets fell on the second day a figure which propped up for only the third time in Test history. Michael Clarke, the newly appointed Australia skipper played a brilliant innings in the first essay and compiled a dazzling 151 runs. Australia ended the day at 214/8, which was a substantial effort considering the damp conditions and the potent South African bowling attack.
However, Day 2 was a historical one in many sense. Australia were bowled out for 284 runs. In reply, South Africa were bundled out for a measly 96 runs. Shane Watson wreaked havoc with the ball as he picked up 5 wickets for just 17 runs in 5 overs. He was ably supported by Ryan Harris who chipped in with 4 wickets.
The match seemed well out of the reach of the hosts as they fell behind by 188 runs, but what followed left everyone in a state of shock. Vernon Philander, who was making his debut struck form and picked up 5 wickets for just 15 runs. He was supported by Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and the trio skidded out the Australians for 47 runs, which is their worst score since 1902. At one stage they were at 21 runs for 9 wickets!
Things had transformed so quickly for the hosts, but they were still to chase down a formidable target of 236 runs. They ended the frenetic day at 81/1. Assured centuries from Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith on day 3 saw the hosts home by 8 wickets, without any late hassle!
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