Best match hauls in Border-Gavaskar Trophy history

The Border Gavaskar trophy has produced several memorable performances over the years from batters and bowlers alike. With much of the debate around the pitches and bowlers in the ongoing India vs Australia series, we list the three best bowling figures from the renowned rivalry.

3. 13/196 – Harbhajan Singh vs Australia in Kolkata in 2001

Following a damaging defeat against the mighty Australian side in the Test series opener, hosts India eyed a series-leveling victory when they traveled to Kolkata for the second Test in 2001. The visitors got off to a solid start in the second Test and were in a commanding position with the scoreboard reading 214/3 in the first innings. They were threatening to post a mammoth score on the board but were stopped in their tracks by Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who returned with sensational bowling figures of 7/123, which included a memorable hat-trick. The bowling ace picked up another six-wicket haul in the second innings to guide his side to one of the most memorable Test victories of all time.

2. 13/181 – Anil Kumble vs Australia in Chennai in 2004

Following a thrashing from the visitors in the series opener, India welcomed Australia in Chennai for the second match of the series in 2004. The visitors made yet another solid start after batting first in the contest. However, it was a similar story for the Aussies as they fell into the trap of Indian spin duo Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. While Harbhajan opened the floodgates for India, his senior bowling partner ran through the middle order, returning his marvelous bowling figures of 7/48, restricting Australia to a paltry 235 runs. Kumble dished out another bowling masterclass in the second innings, grabbing a six to end with 13 wickets in the match.

1. 15/217 – Harbhajan Singh vs Australia in Chennai in 2001

Australia would’ve been sick of the sight of Harbhajan Singh after the conclusion of the Test series in 2001 since the spinner was a bane for their batters in the famous three-match series. Following his sensational bowling display at the Eden Gardens, Harbhajan was once again in the thick of things in the third and final Test in Chennai. He picked yet another seven-for in the first innings to restrict the Aussies to 391 runs despite Matthew Hayden’s double century. The legendary spinner recorded his best figures in red-ball cricket after picking an astonishing eight wickets in the second innings to complete a memorable series victory for India.