No Indian bowler has found a place in the top five of the table
With Australia leading the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 2-1, India needs to be at its best in the series-deciding Test game to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3, 2025, onward. And when we say best, the best is required from all quarters—from all the batsmen and all the bowlers.
Unfortunately, though, the Sydney Cricket Ground has not been a favourable venue for India, given the nation has played 13 matches but won only one. The Men in Blue have lost five games where seven matches ended in a draw. Looking at records, while the batters have had some fortune at the ground, creating records for India, bowlers have had a tough time. So much so that only one Indian bowler has ever taken 10 wickets in a Test game in Sydney for India.
India has not won a Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 46 years. What about a 10-wicket haul? The only one in question came from the magical arm of Anil Kumble 21 years ago during the Australia vs. India Sydney game in 2004.
Opting to bat first, Sachin Tendulkar stole the show with 241 runs in 436 balls, whereas VVS Laxman also played a crucial role, adding 178 runs. India had posted a mammoth score of 705 runs in the first innings.
However, the job was half done as bowlers needed to step up.
While Sachin had done his job, grabbing headlines, Anil Kumble also played the part that got the world media talking about him. In the first innings, he grabbed eight wickets, preying on the likes of Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, and Nathan Bracken. In short, Kumble single-handedly restricted the Aussies to 474 runs.
In the second innings, India scored 211, and again, the responsibility fell on the bowlers to secure the game. Kumble picked up four more in the second innings by dismissing Hayden, Martyn, Steve Waugh, and Adam Gilchrist.
Despite Kumble’s herculean efforts at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the Player of the Match award for his 241 and 60 in the first and second innings, respectively. To some extent, this unique feat by Kumble has faded into the oblivion, but today marks the apt moment to recall a forgotten achievement.
Given India’s chances for winning the series are over, and all we can hope for is a draw, will any from the bowling side join the lonely list that only comprises Kumble from India?
Glenn McGrath "Absolutely incredible how Jasprit Bumrah powers into bowl the last few steps,Got a little bit of hyper extension which I used to have as well.He is coping with it, he has incredible control both ways,I am a massive fan of Jasprit."pic.twitter.com/cWppR28MAq
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) January 1, 2025
Who knows? Maybe Jasprit Bumrah, who has been consistently doing heavy lifting for India and saving the team from embarrassment.
Catch the action live on Star Sports Network or Hotstar from 4:30 a.m. Indian Standard Time (IST), when the toss will take place, and the match will begin at 5:00 a.m.
