Best fast bowling pairs in Indian cricket history

#6 Irfan Pathan-Lakshmipathy Balaji

Zaheer Khan was injured during the first test of 2003 tour to Australia. A 19-year-old Irfan Pathan took his place and made an impression immediately. However, it was his partnership with Laksmipathy Balaji that really got him into prominence. Pathan picked up 18 wickets while bowling in tandem with Balaji in six tests that included best bowling figures of 4 for 100 against Pakistan in India's historic Test win at Multan.

In ODIs, Pathan played 23 matches and picked up 37 wickets while playing in tandem with the Tamil Nadu bowler with best bowling figures of 4 for 24 versus Zimbabwe at Perth.

Balaji made his Test debut for India in 2003 and played 6 Test along with Pathan picking up 26 wickets that included a five-wicket haul against Pakistan in Mohali in 2005.

In ODIs, Balaji partnered Pathan 23 times, picking up 30 scalps with a best bowling effort of 4 for 48 against Australia in Brisbane in 2004.