IND vs ENG: Five best bowling spells in India in India-England Tests in last decade

India vs England has always been a scintillating rivalry. England in India has always competed well and has three series wins. On top of that they also still remain the latest team to have beaten India in India back in 2012-13. In the last decade, both the giants played nine Test matches between them in India and have exhibited some majestic bowling performances. Let’s check out the 5 best bowling spells from the last decade.

5. Stuart Broad’s (4-33) at Visakhapatnam in 2016-17

Regardless of England losing this game by 246 runs, it was Broad’s sturdy spell which bundled India out on a score of 204 in their second innings. While grabbing an exact lead of 200 runs, India looked all set to make England chase a hefty target. But with Broad and Adil Rashid’s magic, the robust Indian batting got bowled out for an inferior score of 204. Broad’s immaculate bowling first withdrew the Indian openers and then took Ajinkya Rahane’s crucial wicket. Despite his strenuous efforts, England got wrapped on 158.

4. Pragyan Ojha’s (5-45) at Ahmedabad in 2012-13

Being the first Test of the 2012-13 series, India did welcome England by winning the match by nine wickets. Although it was Cheteshwar Pujara who was awarded the man of the match, it was mainly Pragyan Ojha’s prowess which furled England to face a follow on. Firstly it was his fifer which demolished England for 191 and then a four-wicket haul which allowed India to chase a fun-sized total of 80. Ojha collectively fetched a total of nine wickets.

3. Ravi Ashwin’s (6-55) at Wankhede in 2016-17

Regardless of skipper Kohli scoring a match-winning double hundred (235), it was  Ashwin’s obnoxious spin which completely dismantled England in their second innings (195). Both the teams had fetched runs in their first innings, but a crucial 241 run partnership between skipper Kohli and Jayant Yadav helped India to grab an integral lead of 231 runs. Although Ashwin had scalped six wickets in his first innings (6-112) it was his second spell which brought England’s sizable downfall. Apart from the top four, all the other six wickets were pruned by Ashwin thus allowing him to finish the game by a total tally of twelve wickets.

2. Monty Panesar’s (6-81) at Wankhede in 2012-13

One of the finest spells of left-arm orthodox spin, Monty not only had ripped apart the king-sized Indian batting but also paved the way for England’s finest Test wins in India. Again both these teams had scored good enough runs in the first innings, but this time it was England which had a profitable lead of 83 runs. With a collection of nine wickets from India’s second innings, the duo of Panesar and Swann by themselves twirled the Indian team to a score of 142. Gambhir and Ashwin were the two batters who had crossed double-digit scores. Monty Panesar finished the game by picking a total of 11 wickets.

1. Ravindra Jadeja’s (7-48) at Chepauk in 2016-17

Although this game is well remembered for Karun Nair’s unbeaten triple hundred, it was Ravindra Jadeja who had completely baffled the English team with his sharp turn and bounce. Despite England scoring 477, they got underwhelmed by 282 runs thanks to some flawless Indian batting. With India scoring 759 in 190 overs, all it meant for England was to combat the events of Day 5. But with the presence of Jadeja that too on a Day 5 Chepauk wicket did mean England getting rambled on 207. Jadeja’s blazing spell allowed India to win by an innings and 75 runs.