NEW DELHI: The India-New Zealand Test cricket rivalry has seen some remarkable bowling spells on Indian soil over the years. These spells have often shaped the course of matches and are etched in the memories of cricket fans.
These bowling performances have played a key role in shaping the India-New Zealand Test rivalry in India, showcasing the skills of both spin and pace bowlers from both sides.
Here are some of the most memorable Test bowling performances in India in India-New Zealand cricket rivalry:
Ajaz Patel – 10/119, Mumbai (2021)
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel created history by becoming only the third bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings, joining the legendary Jim Laker and Anil Kumble. His figures of 10/119 in India’s first innings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai were a masterclass in left-arm spin bowling, especially on a pitch that offered assistance to spinners.
Despite New Zealand losing the match by 372 runs, Patel’s spell was a historic achievement and etched his name in cricketing folklore and it remains one of the most extraordinary moments in the India-New Zealand rivalry.
On a spin-friendly surface at Wankhede, Ajaz, a left-arm spinner of Indian descent, shouldered a massive workload, bowling 47.5 overs in India’s first innings.
Ajaz bowled with incredible control, flight, and accuracy, taking all 10 wickets across multiple sessions. His spin, drift, and sharp turn on the Wankhede pitch made him almost unplayable at times. He dismissed key Indian batsmen, including Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer.
Ajaz’s achievement was even more remarkable because he took all 10 wickets in a foreign country, something no other bowler had ever done.
Ajaz became only the third bowler in Test cricket to take all 10 wickets in a single innings, after Jim Laker’s 10/53 for England against Australia in 1956 and Anil Kumble’s 10/74 for India against Pakistan in 1999.
What made this performance even more special was that it came in Mumbai, the city of his birth. Ajaz was born in Mumbai before migrating to New Zealand with his family as a child, adding an emotional layer to his achievement.
Despite New Zealand losing the Test and the series, Ajaz’s 10/119 remains one of the most iconic individual bowling performances in Test cricket. His name now stands alongside legends like Laker and Kumble in the exclusive 10-wicket club.
Ajaz’s spell highlighted the art of spin bowling, with his ability to control the ball’s flight, use subtle variations in pace, and deceive top-class batsmen. His performance reminded the cricket world of the timeless value of spinners in Test cricket.
Dion Nash – 6/27, Mohali (1999)
The Kiwis, under the captaincy of Stephen Fleming, toured India for a three-Test series in October 1999.
The first Test was in Mohali and it ended in a draw. Seldom does a drawn Test leave a lasting impression on the minds of fans. But this one does.
The Test had a delayed start because of a damp pitch and when the then Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar lost the toss, Fleming had no hesitation in asking India to bat first.
Dion Nash took 6/27 as the Kiwis used only three pacers and yet only three Indian batsmen reached double figures.
India were bundled out for just 83 runs in 27 overs in their first innings.
Though the Test ended in a draw, Nash’s spell of 6/27 is one of the standout performances in New Zealand cricket history as he produced a remarkable spell of swing and seam bowling, completely dismantling India’s batting line-up.
Playing in India is always a challenge for overseas teams, particularly because of the spin-friendly nature of the pitches. However, in Mohali, seamers can sometimes find assistance due to the early morning moisture and cooler temperatures.
Nash’s 6/27 remains one of the finest bowling performances by a New Zealand fast bowler in Indian conditions, where seam bowlers usually have to work hard for their wickets.
The performance is often remembered for how Nash extracted movement and exploited the conditions, something not many seamers manage to do consistently in India.
This spell remains one of Nash’s most memorable moments in international cricket and is a significant part of New Zealand’s Test cricket history.
Ravichandran Ashwin – 7/59, Indore (2016)
Ravichandran Ashwin was at his lethal best during the 2016 series against New Zealand and his 7/59 in the second innings of the Indore Test was a match-winning performance. After India posted a huge target, Ashwin spun a web around the New Zealand batsmen, helping India win by 321 runs and complete a 3-0 series whitewash.
Ashwin also took 6/81 in the first innings, finishing the match with figures of 13/140. His ability to extract sharp turn and bounce on the turning track made him unplayable for the New Zealand batsmen.
Ashwin’s spell was a perfect showcase of his mastery of spin bowling, making him the dominant figure in India’s bowling attack during the series.
Ashwin’s spell was a masterclass in how to bowl on a turning track. His control over line, length, and the amount of spin he generated was exemplary, making life extremely difficult for the New Zealand batsmen.
This performance reinforced Ashwin’s reputation as one of the best spinners in the world, especially in home conditions. His ability to outthink batsmen and exploit spinning tracks made him India’s go-to bowler in the series.
Ashwin’s 7/59 dismantled New Zealand’s batting lineup in the second innings, ensuring India won by a massive margin of 321 runs.
Ashwin’s performance in this Test secured a 3-0 series sweep for India, further establishing India as a dominant force in home conditions under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.
Ashwin finished the series as the highest wicket-taker, with 27 wickets in 3 matches at an average of just 17.77. His all-round brilliance with both bat and ball earned him the Player of the Series award.
With this match, Ashwin became the second-fastest bowler in Test history to take 20 five-wicket hauls, achieving the feat in just 39 matches.
Ashwin’s spell stands as one of the finest bowling performances in the India-New Zealand Test rivalry and highlights his role as India’s most potent weapon in the home Test series. His complete dominance with both ball and brain made this a truly memorable spell.
Javagal Srinath – 6/45, Mohali (1999)
Javagal Srinath’s spell of 6/45 in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand in Mohali was a defining moment in a low-scoring match. His pace, accuracy, and ability to extract movement off the pitch proved to be too much for New Zealand as they were bowled out for 215.
India struggled in the first innings, managing to post only 83 runs, thanks to Dion Nash’s 6/27. However, New Zealand also failed to capitalize, getting bowled out for 215.
Srinath, known for his ability to bowl fast and maintain accuracy, was at his very best in this innings. He bowled with pace and generated movement off the seam, making life difficult for New Zealand’s batsmen.
Srinath’s ability to move the ball both ways troubled the New Zealand batsmen, who struggled to get a foothold in the match.
Srinath’s mastery of the seam and swing conditions in Mohali highlighted his ability to lead India’s pace attack on pitches that offered assistance to fast bowlers. His ability to exploit the pitch’s movement helped India bounce back from a tough situation.
The spell remains one of Srinath’s best bowling performances in Test cricket. His consistent ability to bowl at pace and extract movement made him a lethal force on Indian soil, despite the usual dominance of spin in Indian conditions.
Srinath’s spell is remembered as a superb exhibition of fast bowling in Indian conditions, and it was one of the standout moments of his illustrious career as India’s pace spearhead.
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