Jansen grabs 6-fer to rattle India in Guwahati Test; enters SA's best bowling figure list

Best bowling figures for South Africa in India [Source: AFP Photos]

South Africa has always produced some of the finest fast bowlers and spinners in cricket history. Playing in India is always challenging due to the subcontinent pitches that favour spin and batting. 

But Marco Jansen defied the odds to claim a brilliant 6-wicket-haul in the second Test of the 2025 series held in Guwahati. 

His spell has now entered the list of best bowling figures registered by a South African bowler in India. Here's full top five list.

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5. Imran Tahir - 5/38 (2015)

5. Imran Tahir - 5/38 (2015) [Source: @ICC/X.com]

In 2015, Imran Tahir grabbed a five-wicket-haul in the third Test held at Nagpur. With South Africa trailing by 136 runs in the third inning, Tahir alone dismantled India’s middle order. He picked the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha. 

His spell of 5/38 in 11.3 overs allowed South Africa to bowl out India for 173 runs. However, the target of 310 runs was too much, and the Proteas eventually lost by 124 runs.

4. Paul Adams - 6/55 (1996)

4. Paul Adams - 6/55 (1996) [Source: @ICC/X.com]

South Africa toured India in 1996, where the third Test was held at Kanpur. In the first inning, Woorkeri Raman and Sachin Tendulkar set a good platform with two half-centuries before Paul Adams wreaked havoc. 

He dismissed Sachin, Dravid, Azharuddin and Sunil Joshi in quick succession. Adams finished his spell with 6 wickets for 55 runs in 19.1 overs. However, despite the brilliant spell by Paul Adams, India sealed a comfortable 280-run win thanks to Azharuddin’s 163 in the third inning.

3. Marco Jansen - 6/48 (2025)

3. Marco Jansen - 6/48 (2025) [Source: @imRohit_SN/X.com]

In the second Test of the two-game series held in 2025, Marco Jansen was the star for South Africa. With the bat, he scored 93 runs in the first inning. But it was just the beginning of his brilliance. 

In the second inning, Jansen came out all guns blazing with the ball. He dismantled the middle order comprising Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Jadeja and Nitish Reddy. 

Jansen also wiped off the tail to finish with a spell of 6/48 in 19.5 overs, including five maidens. That spell helped South Africa secure a massive lead of 288 runs.

2. Dale Steyn - 7/51 (2010)

2. Dale Steyn - 7/51 (2010) [Source: @ICC/X.com]

In 2010, South Africa played a Test at Nagpur. Hashim Amla’s 253 runs allowed the visitors to post a massive total of 558 runs. With the ball, Dale Steyn stepped up. While Sehwag slammed a century, Steyn got rid of Sachin Tendulkar, Murali Vijay and Badrinath. 

He also wiped off the tail to finish with a sensational spell of 7/51 in 16.4 overs. His spell knocked out India on 233 as South Africa enforced a follow-on and secured a win by an innings and 6 runs.

1. Lance Klusener - 8/64 (1996)

1. Lance Klusener - 8/64 (1996) [Source: @ABsay_ek/X.com]

Again, back in 1996, Lance Klusener spoiled India’s chase in the second Test held at Eden Gardens. South Africa had set a massive target of 467 runs for India. But Klusener didn’t let the hosts breathe. 

He drew first blood by dismissing Nayan Mongia. Lance then returned for a second spell to wipe out the middle-order. He sent back VVS Laxman, Azharuddin, Sunil Joshi and Javagal Srinath. 

Lance Klusener was relentless throughout the fourth inning as he finished with 8 wickets in 21.3 overs while conceding 64 runs. Lance’s record spell helped South Africa win by 329 runs.

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