As anticipation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy builds up, let us recall the bowlers who have left a mark amidst the intense rivalry between India and Australia
It’s that time of the year when the mighty Indians take on the gigantic Australians in the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a tournament that has, over the years, intensified the rivalry between the two sides. As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the first game scheduled to be played on November 26 in Perth, we take a look at the best bowling figures in an innings for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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Once a pitch curator, off-spinner Nathan Lyon holds the top spot when it comes to taking the most wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 116 scalps in his name. That’s not all, as he also holds the record for the best figure who has bowled in an innings of the BGT. In fact, he holds the top two records.
On March 4, 2017, Lyon scripted history by picking eight wickets in 22.2 overs by giving away 50 runs at an economy of 2.23. Not to forget, he also had four maidens. His second-best figure happened last year on March 1, 2023, when he again picked eight wickets but in 23.3 overs by giving away 64 runs at an economy of 2.72.
In an era when wrist spinners were more popular, India’s legendary bowler Harbhajan Singh made a name for himself by sticking to the art of finger spinning. In the history of the BGT, he holds the third spot when it comes to the best bowling figure earned in an innings. On March 18, 2001, Harbhajan Singh took eight wickets in 41.5 overs by giving away 84 runs. His economy was 2.00, and he had bowled 20 maiden overs. The Chepauk saw one of the best bowling ever in Test cricket.
No bowler has probably won more matches in India than Anil Kumble, and it is extremely hard to find another leg spinner like Kumble in the history of Indian cricket. On January 2, 2004, Kumble picked up eight wickets in 46.5 overs by conceding 141 runs at an economy of 3.00. The maestro spinner retired from the format with 619 Test wickets as India’s leading Test wicket-taker in 132 matches.
A name much may not remember, Jason John Krejza only played two Test matches and eight ODIs. In fact, during an Australian tour, he ended up conceding 199 runs in 31 overs, and therefore, a debut for the Australian side was questionable. However, in the final match of the 2008-09 season, which was the Nagpur Test, a decider game, Krejza got his chance to don the Australian jersey.
His debut, though, was bittersweet as he picked eight wickets in 41.3 overs but also conceded a massive 215 runs at an economy of 4.90. In the second innings, he picked up four wickets more, and despite Australia’s defeat, Krejza was awarded the Man of the Match award.
