India’s top bowling spells in the T20 World Cup

Over the years, we have seen a handful of very special performances by the Indian bowlers in the T20 World Cup. As the biennial extravaganza comes closer than ever, it is time that we take a stroll down the memory lane and rekindle those special performances that lit up the World Cup like never before.

Here are two of India’s finest displays with the ball in their hands as the Men in Blue prepare themselves for the upcoming challenge against Ireland which also happens to be their first battle in the latest edition of the tournament.

Ravichandran Ashwin – 4/11 vs Australia, World T20, 2014, Mirpur

After a slightly shaky batting display, Team India needed something special at Mirpur to get the job done against the juggernaut of the sport, Australia. With India needing an early breakthrough, Ravichandran Ashwin struck the first blow as he scalped Aaron Finch for a paltry six. Not long after, David Warner was the next victim for Ashwin after putting up a fight against the Men in Blue. Wobbling at 44/4, Glenn Maxwell stepped up but Ash was quick to skid through his defences as he claimed his third, sending the top-half of the Aussie batting order back to pavilion. The seasoned Indian offie finished things off with the scalp of James Muirhead as Dhoni took a fine grab behind the stumps to skittle out Australia for 86.

Harbhajan Singh – 4/12 vs England, ICC World Twenty20, 2012, Colombo

The Turbanator was a part of India’s T20 World Cup winning campaign in 2007 and continued contributing to the international echelons for a while now. Against England, India’s batting showmanship was certainly balancing the act as a total of 170 looked very much gettable. However, Harbhajan Singh threw a spanner in the plans of the Three Lions. After a couple of early setbacks already, Bhajji stepped up and his first haul of the evening was the big wicket of Eoin Morgan who fell for two. Jos Buttler who did show signs of resistance managed to add only 11 before Harbhajan got the better of him. Not long after he snuffed out the English resistance by claiming the scalps of Tim Bresnan for just a solitary run while removing Graeme Swann for a duck. India registered a staggering 90-runs win in the contest.