India vs Sri Lanka: The Three Bowlers Who Took 11 Wickets in a Single Test Match

New Delhi, August 8: In the rich history of Test cricket between India and Sri Lanka, 46 matches have been played. Remarkably, there have been four instances where a single bowler claimed 11 wickets in a match. Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan achieved this feat twice. Let’s delve into the details of these exceptional performances.

Anil Kumble: The Indian spinner took 11 wickets against Sri Lanka in January 1994. India scored 511 runs in their first innings. In response, Sri Lanka was bowled out for just 218 runs. Kumble bowled 37 overs, conceding 69 runs while taking 4 wickets. Sri Lanka was forced to follow on and collapsed again, managing only 174 runs in their second innings. Kumble bowled 27.3 overs, giving away 59 runs and claiming 7 wickets. India won the match by an innings and 119 runs.

Venkatesh Prasad: In a match played in February 1994, the former Indian left-arm spinner took 5 wickets in the first innings, allowing Sri Lanka to score only 119 runs. India had already established a lead of 239 runs by scoring 358 in their first innings. In the second innings, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 222 runs, and India won the match by an innings and 17 runs. Prasad bowled 32.3 overs in the second innings, taking 6 wickets for 87 runs.

Muttiah Muralitharan: Between August 29 and September 2, 2001, Muralitharan showcased his skills by taking 8 wickets for 87 runs in the first innings, as India was restricted to just 234 runs. Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 610/6. In the second innings, Muralitharan took 3 wickets for 109 runs, helping Sri Lanka win by an innings and 77 runs after bowling India out for 299.

Muralitharan again made the list in July 2008. In that match, Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 600/6, while India was bowled out for 223 runs. Muralitharan took 5 wickets for 84 runs in the first innings. India was forced to follow on, and in the second innings, Muralitharan took 6 wickets for just 26 runs, bowling India out for 138. Sri Lanka won the match by an innings and 239 runs.