The ongoing second Test match between India and South Africa is currently hanging in balance. After India were bowled out for a 202-run total, Dean Elgar and Keegan Peterson showed great grit and determination in the first hour of the second day’s play. The match was slipping down from India’s hands until Shardul Thakur came into the attack.
The fourth seamer in India’s pace-attack, Shardul Thakur picked three quick wickets before Lunch to get India back into the game. He picked his first five-wicket haul and ended up picking a seven-for, thereby helping his team bundle South Africa out for 229 runs.
Thakur’s heroic spell received praise from all quarters. Picking seven wickets in a single innings against South Africa in Test Cricket isn’t a small feat. Not a lot of Indians have managed to do that against South Africa in Test Cricket. And, on that note, let’s take a look at the best bowling figures by Indian bowlers against South Africa in Test Cricket.
Best Bowling Figures By Indian Bowlers vs South Africa in Tests
5. Ravichandran Ashwin: 7/145 against South Africa in 2019
The first Test between India and South Africa in 2019 at Visakhapatnam is fondly remembered for Ravichandran Ashwin’s heroic spell. After India had notched a mammoth 502-run total in the first innings, South Africa needed to bat well to stay in the game.
Dean Elgar played a stellar 160-run knock of 287 balls in the second innings. However, wickets kept falling at the other end, courtesy of a stellar spell from Ravichandran Ashwin.
The Indian spinner ran through South Africa’s batting unit, sending four batsmen back to the pavilion on single-digit scores. He went on to pick seven wickets for 145 runs and helped the team bowl, South Africa, out for 431 runs. India won that match by 203 runs.