Few rivalries in cricket ignite as much passion and intensity as India vs Pakistan. Over the years, Indian bowlers have risen to the occasion on this grand stage, delivering match-defining spells that turned the tide in India’s favour. These performances not only dismantled Pakistan’s batting line-up but have cemented themselves in the record books.
5. Irfan Pathan 3/16
- Bowling Style: Left arm Medium fast
- Venue: Johannesburg
- Date: 24 September 2007
India clinched a five-run victory to win the inaugural ICC World Twenty20, thanks to Irfan Pathan’s fantastic spell in the final against Pakistan. India scraped hard to get 157 runs on the board. Gautam Gambhir batted a crucial innings, scoring 75 runs himself.
The architects of the Indian triumph were the two left-armers, Rudra Pratap Singh and Irfan Pathan. Both the bowlers picked up three-wicket hauls; however, Irfan Pathan was more clinical, conceding only 16 runs in four overs.
4. Jasprit Bumrah 3/14
- Bowling Style: Right arm Fast
- Venue: New York
- Date: 9 June 2024
This T20 World Cup game stands as a spectacle of incredible displays in a low-scoring encounter between the sides. India defended 119 despite Pakistan being 80 for 3 at one stage.
Bumrah spearheaded India’s defence by picking up the crucial wicket of Mohammad Rizwan in a three-wicket haul. Ironically, Bumrah was not looking to take wickets; he was simply bowling what he thought would be unhittable. This tactic makes Pakistan desperate. His mastery of the ball helped secure a piece in history as 119 is the joint-lowest total ever defended in men’s T20 World Cups.
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/9
- Bowling Style: Right arm Medium
- Venue: Bengaluru
- Date: 25 December 2012
Pakistan’s five-wicket win was their first in T20 internationals against India. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik stood strong on the fourth wicket and scored a 106-run partnership. Virat Kohli was one of the part-time bowlers, but was slogged for 21 runs.
Despite India’s loss, Bhuvneshwar Kumar enjoyed an incredible debut. He picked up three wickets for nine runs in the four overs he bowled. This figure stands as one of the most economical debut performances in T20Is.
2. Hardik Pandya 3/8
- Bowling Style: Right arm Medium fast
- Venue: Mirpur
- Date: 27 February 2016
Pakistan crumbled to 83 all out in 17.3 overs, their lowest ever score while batting first in T20Is. During the 84-run chase, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane were bowled out for ducks in the first over of the chase by Mohammad Amir. This one-sided affair was handed the thrill of an India-Pakistan clash. However, Virat Kohli’s classy 49 provided India with comfort, helping them see out the game.
Hardik Pandya was particularly crucial in limiting Pakistan to such a low score. He picked up a whopping three wickets for only eight runs. The first of his three-wicket haul was Shoaib Malik’s crucial wicket.
1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/26
- Bowling Style: Right arm Medium
- Venue: Dubai
- Date: 28 August 2022
India recorded a narrow victory over Pakistan with only two balls remaining, as Hardik Pandya stole the show with a brilliant performance with the bat and ball. He scored 33 not out as well as bowled a spell of 3/25. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a superior spell of 4/26 and claimed the crucial wicket of skipper Babar Azam.
Conclusion
These five spells prove that bowling can decide the outcome on the biggest stage, even in T20Is. Against Pakistan, every wicket carries extra weight, and these bowlers delivered when it mattered most. Their efforts not only secured victories but also gave fans performances to cherish for years.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
