The Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as “The Gabba,” has been a dominant venue for the Australian team, with only a few teams managing to secure victories there. India played their first Test at the Gabba during the 1947-48 tour and have since won just one of their seven encounters. Australia has lost only twice at the ground since 1991, with their defeats coming at the hands of India in 2021 and the West Indies in 2024. India’s historic 2021 victory at the Gabba, which contributed to their 2-1 series win, was largely fueled by the outstanding performance of their bowlers, including Mohammed Siraj’s five-wicket haul. Let’s now explore the five best bowling figures by Indian bowlers in a Test innings at this iconic venue.
5. Zaheer Khan – 5/95, 2003
In the 2003 Test in Brisbane, India managed to draw a match at this traditionally challenging venue against Australia. After Australia posted 323, with Justin Langer’s 121 leading the way, Zaheer Khan was India’s standout bowler, claiming 5 wickets for 95 runs. His victims included heavyweights like Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh (for a duck), Simon Katich, and Adam Gilchrist (for a duck).
India responded with 409, with a brilliant 144 from captain Sourav Ganguly. Australia’s second innings saw them declare at 284/3, with Matthew Hayden falling just short of a century. Set a target of 199 to win, India resisted and finished on 73/2, securing a hard-earned draw.
4. Mohammed Siraj – 5/73, 2021
In his second Test match, Mohammed Siraj led India’s pace attack at the Gabba, Brisbane, during the deciding Test of the 2020-21 series. With key pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammad Shami all injured, Siraj took on the challenge. Australia posted 369, thanks to a century from Marnus Labuschagne. India responded with 336, fueled by a gritty fight from Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, both scoring fifties.
In Australia’s second innings, Siraj’s outstanding spell of 5/73 helped bowl them out for 294, setting India a target of 328. His emotional performance was made all the more poignant after he had lost his father back home in India and was unable to attend the funeral due to COVID-19 restrictions. India won the match by 3 wickets, with Shubman Gill (91) and Rishabh Pant (89*) leading the charge, claiming their second consecutive Test series victory in Australia.
3. Madan Lal – 5/72, 1977
In a thrilling 1977 Test at the Gabba, India came agonizingly close to winning, but fell short by just 16 runs. After Australia chose to bat first, they were bowled out for 166, thanks to the combined efforts of Indian spinners Bishan Bedi and B Chandrasekhar, who took seven wickets between them.
India’s reply of 153 was thwarted by the Australian pace attack led by Wayne Clark, Jeff Thomson, and Tony Mann. Australia set a target of 341 after making 327 in their second innings, with Bob Simpson’s 89 being the highlight. Despite Madan Lal’s brilliant 5/72, including key wickets like Paul Hibbert, Gary Cosier, and Wayne Clark, India fell short, finishing with 324, with Sunil Gavaskar’s 113 and Syed Kirmani’s 55 leading the charge.
2. Bishan Singh Bedi – 5/55, 1977
In the same 1977 Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba, Bishan Singh Bedi played a pivotal role in dismissing Australia for just 166 in their first innings. Bedi’s spin masterclass dismantled the Australian batting line-up, as he took 5 wickets for 55 runs. His victims included key players like David Oglivie, Craig Serjeant, and Bob Simpson.
Bedi’s remarkable ability to turn the ball was evident as four of his wickets came from players who were dismissed for single-digit scores, and even top-scorer Peter Toohey (82) was undone by Bedi’s guile.
1. Erapalli Prasanna – 6/107, 1968
In the 1968 Test series between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, India was faced with a daunting challenge. After Australia posted 379 in their first innings, with Doug Walters scoring 93, India responded with 279, bolstered by fifties from Rusi Surti, Tiger Pataudi, and M Jaisimha.
In the second innings, Australia extended their lead with 294 runs, setting India a target of 394 to win. Despite India’s spirited fight, led by a century from M Jaisimha, Prasanna’s 6/107 in the second innings kept Australia’s lead in check. His victims included Ian Redpath, Ian Chappell, and Barry Jarman. However, India fell short, ending with 355 runs, just 39 runs behind Australia. Despite the valiant effort, it was Bob Cowper who added insult to injury, taking 4 more wickets to finish with a match-winning performance.