Indians With Top Economic ODI Spells: ODI cricket has come a long way since the early days in the 70s and 80s. The format has especially evolved in the past 6-7 years. Scores of 300 plus are no longer a winning total. Small boundaries flat pitches, and two balls at each end have all resulted in ODI cricket being an extension of T20Is.
Bowlers are left with no place to hide in these ultra-aggressive times. The concept of bowlers conceding less than two runs per over bowling their entire spell is unheard of lately. But there have been instances when bowlers have managed to keep the batsmen in check.
We look at Indian Bowlers With Top Economic ODI Spells:
[Criteria – minimum 10 over spells]
#5 Harbhajan Singh – 1.4
In a game that saw England notch up 307 runs on the board, Harbhajan Singh conceded runs at just 1.4 per over. England openers got off to a rollicking start in the 2nd ODI of the 3-match series in 2004 when Singh was brought into the attack. He soon started weaving his magic into the game. Singh picked up two quick wickets to put a lid on the scoring. His final figures read 10-1-14-2. His effort though came in a losing cause robbing sheen of what remains one of the best ODI spells.
#4 Anil Kumble – 1.4
It’s his spin twin who occupies the number three spot on this list. Anil Kumble notched up his most economical 10-over ODI spell against Kenya in 2001. The new-ball bowlers had already inflicted damage on the Kenyan top order picking up three wickets. Kumble stepped in to make matters worse for the African side. He picked up three wickets himself to finish with figures of 10-4-14-3.
#3 Javagal Srinath – 1.3
He is the only fast bowler on this list dominated by spinners. On a spicy wicket in Auckland in 2003, Javagal Srinath spewed venom on kiwi batsmen. He failed to pick a wicket in his opening spell of 5 overs yet conceded just 4 runs. Srinath then picked up wickets in his following spells to dent New Zealand. He finished with 3 wickets to his name that helped India restrict the Kiwis to 199. Srinath’s figures read 10-2-13-3.
#2 Sunil Joshi – 0.6
It was a magical spell that saw Sunil Joshi reduce a strong South African team to tatters. In the league game of the LG cup, South Africa chose to bat against India at Nairobi. The Proteas made a steady start scoring 32 runs off 9 overs without losing a wicket. Sunil Joshi’s introduction into the attack changed the complexion of the game. He made the batsmen dance to his tunes. Joshi picked up 5 wickets in his 10-over spell conceding just 6 runs. His figures in the game read a magnificent 10-6-6-5.
#1 Bishen Singh Bedi – 0.5
It is absolutely jaw-dropping to read that an Indian bowler conceded just 0.5 runs per over in a 12-over spell. Bishen Singh Bedi delivered just that. In the 1975 ODI World Cup game against East Africa, Bedi bowled one of his finest ODI spells. In his 12 overs spell, Bedi conceded just 6 runs picking up a wicket in the process. Bedi bowled 8 maidens in his spell. These figures are of top draw no matter who the opposition is!
