In their pocket: Three Indian bowlers to dismiss a particular batsman most times
Many times a batsman will encounter a specific bowler whom he finds difficult to handle. The bowler will have the upper hand over the batsman, across different formats of the game. Indian bowlers too have dictated terms while bowling to certain batsmen. In this article, let us take a look at 3 Indian bowlers who have dismissed a particular batsman the most times across all formats of the game.
3. Zaheer Khan – Graeme Smith
Zaheer Khan was a man who could swing the brand new cherry both ways upfront. And, one batsman who always appeared clueless while facing up to Zaheer Khan was Graeme Smith. In the 27 matches that Zaheer and Smith faced off against each other, the left-arm seamer dismissed the South African on 14 occasions.
In fact, Smith averaged just 14.07 against Zaheer Khan and was dismissed for a couple of ducks while facing up to the legendary Indian pacer. Khan played 92 Test matches and 200 ODIs for India. While he picked up 311 wickets in Test cricket, he also scalped 282 batsmen in the ODI format as well.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin – Ben Stokes
Ravichandran will go down as one of the greatest bowlers to have worn an Indian jersey in Test cricket. In 78 Test matches, Ashwin has already scalped a whopping 409 wickets at an average of 24.69.
And, one batsman who experienced a torrid time while facing up to Ashwin is Ben Stokes. In the 22 matches that Ashwin and Stokes have played against each other, the Indian bowler has dismissed Stokes a whopping 15 times. Stokes also averages a miserable 17.93 while facing up to Ashwin.
1. Kapil Dev – Desmond Haynes
The battle between Kapil Dev and Desmond Haynes, especially during the 1980s is one that will be etched in cricketing folklore. And, in the battle between these two behemoths, it was Kapil Dev who emerged on top.
In the 54 international matches that Haynes and Kapil Dev played against each other, the Indian bowling legend dismissed the West Indian on 16 occasions. Kapil Dev played 131 Test matches for India and picked up 434 wickets in his Test career. He also featured in 225 ODI matches and prized out 253 batsmen.
