Analysis

5 batters who won matches with their bowling efforts

Cricket is a sport in which players can perform many roles. Batting, bowling, fielding, and wicketkeeping are the primary roles of a cricketer. Usually, cricketers would have mastered a particular role. But some would also be interested in learning different roles. In the process, they would have learnt it so well that they could win the matches with their added skill sets. There are instances in cricket where such skill sets of cricketers have come in handy for the teams, even at the highest level.

Recently, Glenn Maxwell bowled a fantastic spell against India in the third ODI in Rajkot and helped Australia to win the match with his bowling. Maxwell is a batter but contributed to the win of Australia as a bowler. Likewise, in 2021, Bumrah and Shami were involved in a memorable partnership at the home of cricket, which helped India to win the Test against England. It is time to look at the instances where batters contributed to the team’s wins with their part-time bowling skills.

5. Virender Sehwag 3/25 against South Africa

It was the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2002 in R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Opting to bat first on a slow batting surface, India managed a score of 261 runs in their 50 overs. Virender Sehwag shined with the bat and scored 59 runs in 58 balls, which included 10 boundaries. But it did not seem enough at one stage, as South Africa got a fiery start with the bat, thanks to Herschelle Gibbs, who looked in fine touch.

Despite losing Graeme Smith early, South Africa was cruising in the run chase. Gibbs scored a fantastic hundred along with good support at the other end from Jacques Kallis. At one point, South Africa was 194/1 and needed only 67 runs with 9 wickets in hand and two set batters in the middle. that was when Gibbs retired out. India sensed the opportunity and attacked with part-time spin bowlers. Sehwag helped India with his 3/25.