Published By: Sayan Guha

BGT 2024/25: The Fifer Kings- Indian Bowlers Who Ruled the SCG

From Kapil Dev's breakthrough spell to Kuldeep Yadav's match-turning magic – these Indian bowlers have etched their names in SCG history

The much-anticipated New Year’s Test, the last match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, will take place at the legendary Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 3-7. With Australia leading the five-match series 2-1 after winning the Boxing Day Test, India is poised to attempt a significant comeback. The SCG, with its rich history and ambience, has frequently hosted unforgettable moments, particularly for Indian bowlers. As both sides prepare for this high-stakes match, we look at five Indian bowlers who have achieved memorable five-wicket hauls in SCG history.

Kapil Dev – The pioneer (1981)


Kapil Dev, one of India’s best fast bowlers of all time, made his impact at the SCG during the 1981 series. In the first Test of the tour, India faced Australia, with Kapil leading the charge. In the first innings, he took 5 wickets for 97 runs in 36.1 overs, which remains a highlight of Indian cricket history. Despite India’s tight defeat in the match, Kapil’s performance was one of the few highlights, proving his ability to extract bounce and movement from the SCG pitch. Australia had set a high total of 406, and India answered with just 201 runs in both innings, falling short by an innings and four runs, but Kapil’s fifer was a standout performance in an otherwise poor match.

Shivlal Yadav – The unassuming hero (1986)

Fast forward to 1986, and Shivlal Yadav, another Indian bowler, demonstrated his abilities at the SCG. In a drawn third Test match, Yadav bowled brilliantly, taking 5 wickets for 99 runs from 62.3 overs. His economy rate of 1.58 was impressive, especially considering the number of overs he bowled. Yadav’s precision and ability to maintain pressure over long periods of time were critical to India’s success in drawing the match. With Australia scoring a massive 396 in their first innings, India declared at 600/4. Yadav’s effort with the ball helped hold Australia at bay and was critical to India’s resilience.

Kuldeep Yadav – The spinner’s masterclass (2019)

In the 2019 Border-Gavaskar series, Kuldeep Yadav produced one of the finest bowling displays at the SCG. In the first innings of the fourth Test, Kuldeep claimed a brilliant 5-wicket haul for just 99 runs off 31.5 overs. His ability to fly the ball and generate sharp turns from the Sydney surface was impressive, and he ended up taking key wickets, including that of Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine. With India scoring a mammoth 622/7 declared, Australia was left to battle out a draw after posting 300 and 6/0. Kuldeep’s fifer was a key highlight of India’s dominant performance.

Karsan Ghavri – A fine spell in a tough test (1981)

Karsan Ghavri’s outstanding performance with the ball at the SCG coincided with Kapil Dev’s spectacular fifer. Ghavri took five wickets for 107 runs from 30 overs. His effort helped India restrict the Australian batting onslaught, but the team eventually lost by an innings and four runs. Nonetheless, his period is notable since it was a rare feat in a tough series for India on Australian soil.

Mohammed Shami – The game-changer (2015)

Mohammed Shami put up a spectacular display at the SCG in the fourth Test of the 2015 Border-Gavaskar series. Shami got five wickets for 112 runs in 28.3 overs, giving India critical breakthroughs. His persistent speed and seam movement on a flat SCG field made life difficult for Australia’s batters. Shami’s efforts enabled India to answer Australia’s mammoth 572/7d score in the first innings, resulting in a draw. This fifer remains one of the essential performances in a closely contested series.