IND vs AUS: The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world. It has hosted numerous thrilling contests of IND vs AUS. Over the years, Indian bowlers have played crucial roles in some of the most memorable Test matches at the MCG. While Australia is known for its dominance at this historic venue, India has made significant strides in recent years, recording remarkable victories, especially with the help of stellar bowling performances.
5-wicket hauls taken by Indian bowlers at the MCG in IND vs AUS Test
1. Erapalli Prasanna – 6/141 (1967)
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Match: India vs Australia, 1967-68 Test Series (Second Test)
Figures: 6/141
Erapalli Prasanna’s brilliant 6-wicket haul in the second Test of India’s tour to Australia in 1967-68 remains a standout performance in MCG history. India faced a daunting challenge after being bowled out for just 173 in their first innings, with Australia replying with a massive 529 runs. Despite India’s struggles, Prasanna’s superb spell of 6/141 was a rare highlight. His efforts helped India restrict Australia’s dominance, but unfortunately, India lost the Test by an innings and four runs.
2. BS Chandrasekhar – 6/52 (1977)
India v Australia, 1977 Test Series, Third Test 6/52
1977 In what could only be termed as a ‘magical’ performance, Indian leg-spinner BS Chandrasekhar helped India take the lead from the Australians. After posting 256, India bundled out Australia for just 213 after Chandrasekhar picked up 6/52 to give India an important first-innings lead of 43 runs. The rest is history; India went on to win the Test by 222 runs with Chandrasekhar’s match-winning figures in a defining performance at the MCG.
3. BS Chandrasekhar – 6/52 (1977) [Second Innings]
Match: India vs Australia, 1977 Test Series (Third Test)
Figures: 6/52 (Second Innings)
Chandrasekhar wasn’t finished yet. After playing the heroics in the first innings, the Indian leg-spinner again appeared in the second innings. While defending a 387-run target, Chandrashekhar played a masterly spell taking 6/52 to carry the Indian attack. Chandrashekhar’s magical bowling helped India bowl Australia out and gain a formidable win by 222 runs.
4. Kapil Dev – 5/28 (1981)
Match: India vs Australia, 1981-82 Test Series Third Test
Figures: 5/28
In one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricketing history, Kapil Dev spearheaded India’s bowling effort during the third Test of the 1981-82 series. Chasing a paltry target of 143, Kapil bowled India to a thrilling win, taking 5/28. His impressive spell included the scalp of key batsmen Greg Chappell and Rod Marsh, and India went on to win by 59 runs, an outcome that stands as one of the best Test victories in Indian cricketing history.
5. Kapil Dev – 5/97 (1991)
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Match: India v Australia, 1991 Test Series (Boxing Day Test)
Figures: 5/97
A decade after his heroics in 1981, Kapil Dev once again marked his presence at the MCG during the 1991 Boxing Day Test. Bowling on the second day of the Test, Kapil grabbed 5/97 and helped India restrict Australia to 349 in the first innings. Though India could not win the Test in the end, losing by eight wickets, it will always be a milestone for Indian bowling history.
6. Anil Kumble – 6/176 (2003)
Match: India vs Australia, 2003 Test Series (Boxing Day Test)
Figures: 6/176
Anil Kumble, India’s all-time highest wicket-taker in Tests, delivered a fantastic performance during the 2003 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Despite a double century from Ricky Ponting, Kumble was exceptional, taking 6/176 to help India limit Australia’s first-innings total to 558. Although India lost the Test by 9 wickets, Kumble’s remarkable performance on a flat pitch in Melbourne was a testament to his skill and resilience.
7. Anil Kumble – 5/84 (2007)
Match: India vs Australia, 2007 Test Series (Third Test)
Figures: 5/84
In 2007, Kumble again visited the MCG with another brilliant performance. In the first innings of the third Test, he took 5/84 to help India bowl Australia out for 343. India, starting well with the ball, could not carry forward this momentum, as the team collapsed while batting in the second innings, resulting in an embarrassing defeat by 337 runs. Nonetheless, Kumble’s five wickets was a shining moment for India in an otherwise disastrous series.
8. Jasprit Bumrah – 6/33 (2018)
Match: India vs Australia, 2018 Test Series (Boxing Day Test)
Figures: 6/33
Jasprit Bumrah had made his mark in the history books as the first Indian bowler to have claimed the best-ever figures. On Boxing Day of the 2018 Test between India and Australia, a spell by Bumrah sent shivers down the spines as he picked up 6/33 to send Australia packing for just 151 in their first innings. His match-winning performance led India to a 137-run victory, and he was rightfully awarded the title of Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling display. His six-wicket haul remains the best bowling performance by any Indian bowler at the MCG.
The MCG: A Historic Venue for Indian Bowling
Over the years, Indian bowlers have shown tremendous skill and resilience at the MCG, a venue traditionally known for its pace-friendly conditions that often favor the Australian team. From Erapalli Prasanna’s classic spell in 1967 to Jasprit Bumrah’s record-breaking performance in 2018, Indian bowlers have continually risen to the occasion and left a mark on this iconic venue.
India’s MCG victories were hard and have been, but one reason for them to turn out victorious over defeat was the bowlers. Whether it was in 1977 with two six-wicket hauls by BS Chandrasekhar or a match-winning bowling spell by Kapil Dev in 1981, all these have added to the growing stature of the country’s fast and spin bowling in international cricket.
As India continues to challenge Australia on their home turf, the legacy of Indian bowlers at the MCG serves as an inspiration for future generations of cricketers.
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