Four Instances When Indian Players Scored Century And Took 5-Fer In A Test Match

All-rounders are boon for any side. The big boost about having an all-rounder in the side is they can contribute with the bat and ball. There have also been rare occasions when an all-rounder has scored a century and picked up a five-wicket haul in a Test match. Let us have a look at five such instances.

Vinoo Mankad vs England, 1952

Vinoo Mankad was in fine form in the second Test against England at Lord’s in 1952. The opener scored 72 runs in the first innings and then returned to pick up a five-wicket haul at an economy rate of 2.68. In the second innings, he continued his fine form, and notched up 184 runs at the top of the order. Despite his valiant efforts with the bat and ball, India went on to lose the match by eight wickets against the Sir Leonard Hutton-led England side.

Polly Umrigar vs West Indies, 1962

It was the 1962 Test against the West Indies. Polly Umrigar bowled 24 overs, giving up 107 runs but also picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings. He was on the scoreboard as well in the first innings as he notched up 56 runs before hitting an unbeaten 172 runs in the second innings. Despite his all-round effort India lost the match by seven wickets.

Ravichandran Ashwin vs West Indies, 2011 

Ravichandran Ashwin made his last Test appearance for India in the tour of New Zealand earlier this year. He has lost his place as a regular spinner but has been one of the most successful spinner for India. Ashwin has majorly lost his regular spot due to the rise of wrist spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have bowled in tandem and been effective at home and in overseas conditions. However, in the past Ashwin has done Team India, a world of good with his all-round performances.

In 2011, during the third Test against the West Indies, Ashwin was adjudged the man-of-the-match for his all-round performance. He was on a marathon run in the first innings, bowling 52 overs, and picked up five wickets. Ashwin, who is a skilful batsman as well, then went on to score 103 runs in the first innings. It was the most for an Indian batsman in that innings. The match, however, ended in a draw.

Ravichandran Aswhin vs West Indies, 2016

In 2016, in the first Test against the West Indies at North Sound, it was again a prolific all-round performance from Ashwin which helped the visiting side clinch victory by an innings and 92 runs. In the first innings, Ashwin played a cautious knock to hit 113 runs off 253 balls, laced with 12 boundaries. After going wicketless in the first innings, Ashwin returned to pick up seven wickets as the home side were bundled out for 231 runs.