Best Bowling Performances In WTC Cycle 2023-25; One Indian On The List

Anurag Dasgupta

Best bowling performances in WTC Cycle [Source: @rahulsinggghhh/x.com] Best bowling performances in WTC Cycle [Source: @rahulsinggghhh/x.com]

The World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25 came to an end with the South African side capturing their second-ever ICC title. It was 27 years ago when they last won an ICC event as Temba Bavuma, their maverick leader led the team from the front and helped them achieve glory.

The recently concluded WTC cycle witnessed some top-notch batting performances, and at the same time, it had some stellar bowling spells that mesmerized Cricket fans across the globe. Here are the top 5 bowling performances of the WTC cycle 2023-25.

Criteria: Context of the game, impact on the match.

Best bowling performances of WTC Cycle 2023-25

5) Pat Cummins - 6/28 WTC Final

Pat Cummins took a fifer Vs SA Pat Cummins took a fifer Vs SA

Captain, leader, and legend - the three adjectives perfectly define Pat Cummins, the Australian captain. In the WTC finale against South Africa, the Aussies posted a meager 212 runs and were on the back-foot immediately. They needed to restrict the South African team cheaply and the Aussie captain led the charge from the front.

He bowled a hostile spell on a spicy Lord's deck and troubled the Proteas team to scalp figures of 6 for 28 as the Rainbow Nation got bundled out for just 138. This was a key spell in the context of the match as it brought the Australian team back in the scheme of things.

4) Jasprit Bumrah - 5/30

Bumrah 5 wickets Vs AustraliaBumrah 5 wickets Vs Australia

When Rohit Sharma got ruled out of the Perth Test match Vs Australia, India looked short on confidence, however, Jasprit Bumrah took the responsibility as the captain of the team and dismantled the Aussies with a magnificent spell. India posted a paltry 150 in the first innings and the Asian team needed a miracle to get back into the contest.

Bumrah raised his hands as he terrorized the Aussie batters and scalped 5/30 as India roared back in the match and eventually thrashed the Aussies.

3) Mitch Santner - 13 wickets Vs India

In the Pune Test match between India and New Zealand, the curator dished out a spinning deck and instead of the Indian side, the Kiwis took full advantage of the situation. Mitch Santner, the street-smart cricketer wreaked havoc with his mastery in spin bowling. In the first innings, the spin bowler picked up 7/53 in 19.3 overs and it was followed by another hostile spell as he grabbed 6-fer in the second innings to inflict a series defeat on the Indian team.

2) Kagiso Rabada - 5/51 Vs Australia

Rabada 5 wickets in WTC final Rabada 5 wickets in WTC final

World Test Championship Final, a big game against the Aussies and Proteas pacer, Kagiso Rabada stepped up to take his team closer to eternal glory. In the first innings, the surface helped the bowlers and Rabada ran riot as he took 5/51 and broke the Australian backbone. It was because of this spell that the Aussies could score only 212 runs. Even in the second innings, the Proteas bowler grabbed 4 wickets to take his team past the winning line.

1) Shamar Joseph - 7/68 Vs Australia

Shamar Joseph grabbed 7 wickets at Gabba Shamar Joseph grabbed 7 wickets at Gabba

West Indies generally have a poor track record in Australia and when they toured Down Under for a series against Australia, no one gave them a chance to win. However, at the Gabba, a new hero rose from the Ashes as an unknown commodity, Shamar Joseph dismantled the home team with a breath-taking spell.

The home side needed 216 runs to win and the target was well within their reach. However, this is when the youngster took responsibility on his hands and smacked 7 Australian wickets to hand the Windies a memorable 8-run win.