India has a rich history of producing exceptional all-rounders in the ODI format, from Kapil Dev to Irfan Pathan. While many of these players have excelled with both bat and ball, only a few have managed to achieve the rare feat of scoring a half-century and taking five wickets in the same ODI match. Here’s a look at three Indian cricketers who accomplished this remarkable feat.
#1 Kris Srikkanth (5/27 & 70) vs New Zealand, 1988
Kris Srikkanth, primarily known for his explosive batting at the top of the order, surprised everyone by becoming the first Indian to score a fifty and claim a five-wicket haul in the same ODI. The feat came against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam during the first ODI of a five-match series in December 1988.
India opted to field first, and Srikkanth, a part-time off-spinner, produced a stunning performance with the ball, taking 5/27 in seven overs. His victims included key New Zealand players like Ken Rutherford and Ian Smith. Srikkanth’s efforts restricted New Zealand to 196/9 in their 50 overs.
In the chase, Srikkanth was equally influential with the bat, top-scoring with 70 off 87 balls, including eight boundaries. His knock set the foundation for India to chase down the target in 46.2 overs, securing a four-wicket victory. Mohammad Azharuddin’s steady 48* helped India across the finish line.
#2 Sourav Ganguly (5/34 & 71) vs Zimbabwe, 2000*
Sourav Ganguly, one of India’s greatest ODI captains, was also a handy medium pacer. He became the second Indian to score a fifty and take five wickets in the same ODI during a match against Zimbabwe in Kanpur in December 2000.
Zimbabwe elected to bat first, but Ganguly’s medium pace proved too much for them as he picked up 5/34 in his 10 overs. He dismissed the likes of Andy and Grant Flower, as well as Zimbabwe’s captain Heath Streak, helping India bowl out Zimbabwe for just 165 runs.
Ganguly then anchored India’s chase with a commanding 71* off 68 balls, striking 12 fours and a six. His opening partnership of 157 with Sachin Tendulkar (62) ensured a comfortable nine-wicket victory for India in just 25 overs.
#3 Yuvraj Singh (5/31 & 50) vs Ireland, 2011 World Cup*
Yuvraj Singh, a key player in India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad, etched his name into the history books by scoring a fifty and taking five wickets in a group-stage match against Ireland in Bengaluru.
After India chose to field, Yuvraj’s left-arm spin wreaked havoc on the Irish batting lineup, resulting in figures of 5/31 from 10 overs. His scalps included Ireland’s top-scorer William Porterfield (75) and the dangerous Kevin O’Brien. Ireland was bundled out for 207 in 47.5 overs.
In response, India found themselves in a spot of bother after losing Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir early. However, Yuvraj played a crucial role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 75 balls. His partnerships with MS Dhoni (34) and Yusuf Pathan (30*) guided India to a five-wicket victory in 46 overs.
These three performances highlight the exceptional versatility and match-winning abilities of India’s all-rounders, who have contributed significantly to the team’s success in ODIs over the years.
