The Brisbane Cricket Ground, famously known as “The Gabba,” has been a stronghold for the Australian cricket team, with only a few sides managing to secure victories there. India, too, has played a handful of Test matches at this venue, starting with their maiden game during the 1947-48 tour.
Australia boasts an impressive record at the Gabba, having lost only twice in Test cricket since 1991. These rare defeats came against India in 2021 and the West Indies in 2024. For India, success at this venue has been elusive, with just one win in seven Tests. However, their solitary victory in 2021 was historic, sealing a 2-1 series triumph. India’s overseas Test wins have often been driven by their bowlers, who have consistently delivered match-winning performances. In the memorable 2021 Gabba Test, Mohammed Siraj claimed a remarkable five-wicket haul, joining a select group of Indian bowlers with notable achievements at the venue.
Here are the top 5 best test bowling figures by Indian bowlers at the Gabba:
5.Zaheer Khan – 5/95, 2003
The 2003 Test in Brisbane between India and Australia marked the first time India managed to secure a draw at the venue. Australia, batting first, posted 323, with Justin Langer contributing a stellar 121. Zaheer Khan led India’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 5/95, claiming key wickets including Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh (for a duck), Simon Katich, and Adam Gilchrist (also for a duck). India replied with 409, powered by captain Sourav Ganguly’s magnificent 144. In their second innings, Australia declared at 284/3, with Hayden narrowly missing a century at 99. India, set a target of 199, held firm to finish at 73/2, ensuring a hard-fought draw.
4. Mohammed Siraj – 5/73, 2021
Mohammed Siraj, playing his second test only, was leading the Indian pace attack at the Gabba, Brisbane, after injuries to Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammad Shami during the course of the four-test series in 2020-21.
The series was leveled 1-1, thanks to India’s brilliant effort to draw the third test in Sydney and it all came down to the Gabba for the series decider. Australia batted first and posted 369 with Marnus Labuschagne making a century. India replied with 336 runs with a rear-guard action by Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, who made fifties. Australia were then bowled out for 294 in the second innings all thanks to a brilliant effort by Mohammed Siraj, who took 5-73, his first test fifer. It was an emotional moment for the pacer, who had lost his father back in India and couldn’t attend the funeral due to Covid-19 restrictions. India won the test by 3 wickets as Shubman Gill (91) and Rishabh Pant (89*) led the charge and India won their second consecutive test series in Australia.
3. Madan Lal – 5/72, 1977
This test at the Gabba, Brisbane between India and Australia was a close one that the hosts won by just 16 runs. Australia opted to bat first, but were bowled out for 166 runs thanks to Indian spinners Bishan Bedi, and B Chandrasekhar, who picked seven wickets amongst themselves. India replied with 153, as Wayne Clark took four scalps and Jeff Thomson and Tony Mann took three wickets each. Australia then made 327 in the second innings with captain Bob Simpson top-scoring with 89. For India, the damage was done by pacer Madan Lal, who took 5/72. His victims included Paul Hibbert, Gary Cosier, Tony Mann, Steve Rixon, and Wayne Clark. Set 341 runs to win, India made 324 with Sunil Gavaskar leading the way with 113, while Syed Kirmani made 55, but fell 16 runs short.
2. Bishan Singh Bedi – 5/55, 1977
In the same match, mentioned above between Australia and India at the Gabba in 1977, Bishan Singh Bedi had helped India rout Australia for just 166 in the first innings. Peter Toohey with 82 made the most runs, while Bishan Bedi dismissed the likes of David Oglivie, Craig Serjeant, Bob Simpson, Toohey, and Steve Rixon. Four of Bedi’s wickets came for single-digit scores, while the top-scorer Toohey was bamboozled by Bedi’s mastery of spin.
1. Erapalli Prasanna – 6/107, 1968
This was the 3rd test of the 1968 series between Australia and India at the Gabba, Brisbane. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, Australia put up a stiff score of 379 runs with Doug Walters making 93 and Bill Lawry, Bob Cowper, and Paul Shehan scoring fifties.
India responded with 279 runs with Rusi Surti, Tiger Pataudi, and M Jaisimha scoring fifties, while Eric Freeman and Bob Cowper took three wickets each. In the second innings, Australia built on their lead and made 294 runs, setting India 394 runs to win. Ian Redpath made 79 and Walters made 62*. But, it was the legendary Indian off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna, who kept Australia from scoring even more runs. He picked 6/104, with his victims including the likes of Redpath, Ian Chappell, Barry Jarman, Eric Freeman, and David Renneberg. Despite a century by M Jaisimha and half-centuries by Rusi Surti and Chandu Borde, India managed 355 runs to lose the test by 39 runs.