IND vs NZ 2021: 5 memorable bowling performances by Indians in Tests against New Zealand

#3 Srinivas Venkataraghavan (8/72 & 4/80) - Delhi, 1965

Former India skipper Srinivas Venkataraghavan

Former captain and off-spinner Srinivas Venkataraghavan ran through New Zealand’s batting order with figures of 8/72 and 4/80 in the 4th Test of the four-match series in March 1965. New Zealand decided to bat first after winning the toss, but Venkataraghavan’s guile saw them crumble to 262.

The off-spinner claimed 8 for 72 in 51.1 overs. The standout aspect of his spell was that, except one, all of his dismissals in New Zealand’s first innings came via the bowled and lbw modes.

Venkataraghavan sent back openers Graham Dowling and Terry Jarvis and also dismissed top-scorer Ross Morgan (82). New Zealand’s middle and lower-order couldn’t offer much resistance.

India replied with 465 for 8 declared, courtesy of hundreds from Dilip Sardesai and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Venkataraghavan chipped in with four wickets in the second innings as well as New Zealand were cleaned up for 272. India then chased down the target of 70 with seven wickets in hand.

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#4 Anil Kumble (4/67 & 6/67) - Kanpur, 1999

Anil Kumble celebrates a wicket. Pic: Getty Images

Leg-spinner Anil Kumble played a stellar role in India’s eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Kanpur Test in October 1999. The Kiwis batted first after winning the toss, but only managed to put up a total of 256.

Javagal Srinath (3/62) got the key wickets at the top while Kumble dismissed Craig Spearman (12) before returning to dismantle the tail. In response, India made 330 with openers Devang Gandhi and Sadagoppan Ramesh scoring 88 and 83 respectively. The hosts were 162 for no loss at one stage, but Daniel Vettori’s six-for led to a middle and lower-order batting collapse.

Kumble ensured India regained ascendancy in the second innings. He trapped both openers Matt Horne (3) and Matthew Bell (7) leg before and also cleaned up nightwatchman Dion Nash (0) first ball. New Zealand were reeling at 17 for 3 after 13 overs.

Kumble later added the big scalps of Nathan Astle (0) and Craig McMillan (31) as the Kiwis folded up for 155. India chased down the target of 83 in 18.2 overs as Gandhi remained unbeaten on 31 and Sachin Tendulkar on 44.

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#5 Ishant Sharma (6/51) - Wellington, 2014

Ishant Sharma bowls during the 2014 Wellington Test. Pic: Getty Images

Team India pacer Ishant Sharma exploited the conditions brilliantly to claim 6 for 51 in the first innings of the Wellington Test in February 2014. India cleaned up New Zealand for 192 after winning the toss and bowling first.

Ishant sent back both the Kiwi openers. Hamish Rutherford (12) was undone by a well-directed bouncer while Peter Fulton (13) was trapped in front with an incoming delivery.

Ishant then dismissed Tom Latham for a duck on his Test debut as the left-hander nicked a delivery that seamed away. Corey Anderson, BJ Watling and Tim Southee also fell to the lanky Indian pacer. Mohammed Sham claimed the other four wickets as the visitors put up a dominant bowling effort.

A hundred from Ajinkya Rahane and 98 from Shikhar Dhawan saw India post 438 in their first innings. The Kiwis were under tremendous pressure in their second innings. However, Brendon McCullum scored a sensational triple hundred while Watling and James Neesham scored centuries as New Zealand recovered to draw the Test. Ishant went wicketless in the second innings, sending down 45 overs.