The India vs England Test rivalry is one of cricket’s greatest stories, filled with battles of bat and ball. While big hundreds and long partnerships often get remembered, it’s usually one spell of bowling that truly turned the game in India vs England Tests. These are moments where a bowler didn’t just take wickets—they changed the mood, momentum, and the match itself. From reverse swing to magical spin, these top 5 bowling spells show how one player’s brilliance can silence crowds, stun batting orders, and write history. Let’s look at the most iconic spells that turned the game in India vs England Tests.
Here Are Top 10 Spells That Turned the Game in India vs England Tests
5. Harbhajan Singh – 6/33 at Mumbai, 2001
In 2001 at Wankhede, Harbhajan Singh bowled one of the most impactful spells that completely turned the game in India vs England Tests. On a turning Day 5 pitch, England needed just 152 runs to win. But Harbhajan had other ideas. With sharp spin, bounce, and accuracy, he tore through England’s batting lineup. His delivery to bowl Michael Vaughan through the gate remains one of the most iconic dismissals in Indian cricket. His 6-wicket haul helped India win by 10 wickets. Harbhajan’s spell was a clear reminder that spin can dominate even under pressure and turned the game in India vs England Tests with pure skill.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Span | 2001 |
| Overs | 15.1 |
| Maidens | 6 |
| Runs | 33 |
| Wickets | 6 |
| Economy | 2.17 |
| Match Result | India won by 10 wickets |
4. Stuart Broad – 6/25 at Manchester, 2014
Stuart Broad produced one of his best spells in Test cricket that turned the game in India vs England Tests at Old Trafford. In 2014, with the pitch assisting seamers, Broad used bounce and swing to destroy India’s top order. He dismissed Kohli, Rahane, and Pujara in quick time, reducing India to a low total of 152. His short-ball strategy and tight lines gave no room for recovery. The spell helped England win by an innings and 54 runs. Broad’s performance reminded the world how dangerous he can be, and his efforts truly turned the game in India vs England Tests.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Span | 2014 |
| Overs | 13.4 |
| Maidens | 4 |
| Runs | 25 |
| Wickets | 6 |
| Economy | 1.83 |
| Match Result | England won by an innings and 54 runs |
3. Anil Kumble – 7/115 at The Oval, 2007
In 2007 at The Oval, India needed a bowling hero on a flat pitch. That hero was Anil Kumble. His 7-wicket haul was the turning point that helped India gain control in the match and later win the series. Kumble’s accuracy, bounce, and tireless spells frustrated English batters. He bowled long spells and still managed to take wickets at key moments. Though the match ended in a draw, this performance helped India secure their first Test series win in England in 21 years. This spell clearly turned the game in India vs England Tests and proved why Kumble was a legend.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Span | 2007 |
| Overs | 44.3 |
| Maidens | 10 |
| Runs | 115 |
| Wickets | 7 |
| Economy | 2.58 |
| Match Result | Match Drawn |
2. Ishant Sharma – 7/74 at Lord’s, 2014
Lord’s 2014 witnessed one of the greatest spells by an Indian fast bowler that turned the game in India vs England Tests. On Day 5, Ishant Sharma came in with fire and fury. He bowled aggressive short-pitched deliveries that surprised and removed batsmen like Cook, Stokes, and Moeen Ali. England went from a strong position to collapse within a session. Ishant’s bouncers and mental toughness helped India win a historic Test at Lord’s after 28 years. His spell didn’t just bring wickets—it brought belief. It was a moment that absolutely turned the game in India vs England Tests.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Span | 2014 |
| Overs | 23 |
| Maidens | 3 |
| Runs | 74 |
| Wickets | 7 |
| Economy | 3.21 |
| Match Result | India won by 95 runs |
1. Jasprit Bumrah – 5/64 at The Oval, 2021
Jasprit Bumrah’s 2021 Oval spell was pure magic. In the fourth innings, with the game heading toward a draw, Bumrah came alive with reverse swing and precision yorkers. In just six overs, he dismissed Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow with unplayable deliveries. His energy shifted the momentum, and England crumbled under pressure. India went on to win the match by 157 runs. This spell wasn’t just about numbers—it was about attitude, timing, and intensity. Bumrah’s effort fully turned the game in India vs England Tests and is remembered as one of the best match-winning spells by an Indian abroad.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Span | 2021 |
| Overs | 22 |
| Maidens | 9 |
| Runs | 64 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Economy | 2.90 |
| Match Result | India won by 157 runs |
Conclusion (100 words)
These five iconic spells prove that Test cricket is a game of turning points. A bowler, with the right mix of skill and temperament, can flip the entire narrative. Whether it was Harbhajan’s spin, Broad’s aggression, or Bumrah’s yorkers, each of these moments turned the game in India vs England Tests and etched themselves into cricketing history. They remind us why we love red-ball cricket—because one spell can change everything. From Wankhede to Lord’s, these bowling displays not only brought wins but wrote chapters in the legendary India vs England rivalry.
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