India’s records at home, particularly in Test cricket, demonstrate that they are a formidable opponent. They have not been defeated in a home Test series in the past ten years and only in three Tests. The last time India lost a home Test series was in 2012, when England beat them by 2-1. Having top-tier spin bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on the team has been crucial to India’s success over the past decade.
Yet, overseas bowlers, especially left-arm spinners, have sometimes confused the Indian batters and amazed them in their own country.
1. Matthew Kuhnemann
During the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Matthew Kuhnemann was not even selected for Australia’s primary team. When leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson returned to Australia, Matthew was called to take his position. Matthew Kuhnemann, in only his second Test match, made a significant contribution that may have won the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 Test in Indore for Australia. India won the toss and decided to bat, likely to set a record-breaking score in the first innings.
India was bowled out for 109 runs. Thanks to a brilliant bowling performance from Matthew Kuhnemann. His magical spell of 5/16 in just nine overs appears like a match-winning spell, as the hosts have been unable to recover from their Day 1 collapse.
2. Steve O’Keefe
Indians were unbeatable in the 2016–17 domestic season, winning every Test match and losing only one Test. The match was the opening match of the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Pune, played against Australia. Even though Nathan Lyon had already established himself as a top-tier spinner, the visitors brought left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe as an unknown element. After Australia scored 260 runs in their first innings on a turning pitch that was challenging to achieve, all eyes were on India’s batting performance.
With his figures of 6/35 in the first inning, Steve O’Keefe gave his side a commanding 155-run lead over the Indians. The left-arm spinner’s six-wicket haul in the second Test dealt a heavy blow from which Virat Kohli and company never recovered. The away team won by a staggering 333-run margin.
3. Monty Panesar
Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar’s spin combination was pivotal to England’s 2012 Test series win in India. Panesar was incredible throughout the entire series, luring the hosts into their trap of creating rank-turners.
Following India’s victory in Ahmedabad, Panesar bowled superbly in the second and third Tests in Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively, and caught the Indian batters in his web. The Indian batters were utterly taken aback by his 6/81 bowling performance.
The Indians had no answers for his spin bowling, which produced sharp turns and bounces.
