5 instances of a bowler ending up on the losing side after claiming 10 wickets in a Test

#3 Kapil Dev (1/52 & 9/83) vs West Indies - Ahmedabad Test 1983

Former India pacer Kapil Dev claimed 9/83 against West Indies in 1983

Even a 10-wicket match haul from the legendary Kapil Dev could not stop a rampant West Indies from coasting to victory against India in the Ahmedabad Test of 1983. India asked the Windies to bat first after winning the toss. Although Kapil managed only one wicket in the first innings, Maninder Singh (4/85) and Roger Binny (3/18) restricted West Indies to 281.

India, however, crumbled to 241 despite Sunil Gavaskar’s brisk 90 as Wayne Daniel claimed five wickets. West Indies seemed on top at the halfway stage of the Test. However, Kapil came up with an incredible bowling performance to pick up 9 for 83 in 30.3 overs and restrict the visitors to 201. The skipper bowled half the overs in the innings as the Windies were all out in 60.3 overs.

Kapil cleaned up Gordon Greenidge for 3 and kept hurting the West Indies at regular intervals after that. Thanks to their captain’s heroics, India needed 242 to clinch the Test. However, Michael Holding (4/30) and Winston Davis (3/21) helped the Windies bundle out the hosts for 103.

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#4 Mitchell Johnson (8/61 & 3/98) - Perth Test 2008

Former Australia left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson. Pic: Getty Images

Had South Africa not chased down 414 in this match, the second highest in Test history, the Perth encounter might well have been remembered for Mitchell Johnson’s heroics. The fiery former Australian left-arm seamer was in his element against a strong Proteas batting line-up.

After the Aussies posted a competitive 375 batting first, Johnson rocked the South Africans with figures of 8 for 61 in 27 overs. He dismissed Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, all of whom were well-set and were looking good for big scores. Johnson then ran through the tail to restrict South Africa to 281.

Brad Haddin starred with 94 in Australia’s second innings as the hosts put up 319 and set South Africa what seemed like an improbable 414 for victory. The Proteas romped home by six wickets, courtesy hundreds from Smith and De Villiers. Johnson claimed three of the four wickets to fall but had to send down more than 34 overs as South Africa took complete control of proceedings.

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#5 Keshav Maharaj (9/129 & 3/154) - Colombo Test 2018

Keshav Maharaj claimed 12 scalps in the 2018 Colombo Test. Pic: Getty Images

Sri Lankan batters are renowned for their skills against slow bowling. In that context, South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj’s 12-wicket match haul in Colombo was quite sensational. The Lankans batted first after winning the toss and Maharaj’s 9 for 129 from 41.1 overs kept the hosts to under 350.

After Sri Lankan openers Danushka Gunathilaka (57) and Dimuth Karunaratne (53) added 116 for the opening wicket, Maharaj brought South Africa back into the Test by dismissing both in quick succession.

There were decent names in the Lankan middle order - Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews - who also fell to Maharaj’s guile. The left-arm spinner’s brilliance reduced Sri Lanka to 264 for 9 before Akila Dananjaya (43*) and Rangana Herath (35) lifted the hosts to 338.

Dananjaya (5/52) and Dilruwan Perera (4/40) then dismantled South Africa for 124 in 34.5 overs. Maharaj wasn’t as effective in the second innings, bowling 40 overs for three wickets while conceding 154 runs. Set to chase 490, South Africa were all out for 290 despite Theunis de Bruyn’s fighting 101.