Top spells by Indian bowlers in ODI World Cup finals

IND vs AUS Final: From Yuvraj Singh to Mohinder Amarnath, here is a look at the top bowling spells for India in World Cup finals ahead of the 2023 summit clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

India’s Yuvraj Singh celebrates the wicket of captain Kumar Sangakkara during the ICC Cricket World Cup final. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

India will be featuring in its fourth ICC ODI World Cup final when it meets Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

India has won two out of the three World Cup finals - 1983 and 2011 - while suffered a defeat in the 2003 clash against Australia.

Here are the top five bowling performaces by Indians in World Cup finals:

5. YUVRAJ SINGH - 2/49 (MUMBAI)

In the 2011 World Cup final, Yuvraj picked the prized wickets of Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera, and helped India clinch its second title, first in front of the home crowd, in the match played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Yuvraj Singh bowling during the ICC Cricket World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK/THE HINDU

4. HARBHAJAN SINGH - 2/49 (JOHANNESBURG)

Unfortunately for Harbhajan Singh, his spell, where he removed both Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden during the 2003 final, couldn’t help India win the match played in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the sole wicket-taker for India in that game.

3. BALWINDER SANDHU - 2/32 (LORD’S)

Sandhu’s spell during the 1983 World Cup final played a crucial role in India’s first triumph. It was Sandhu who removed West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge and then got middle-order batter Faoud Bachhus out.

2. MADAN LAL - 3/31 (LORD’S)

Lal’s spell opened the game for India in the 1983 final. He removed Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards, and Larry Gomes in quick succession to put West Indies on the back foot and the rest is history.

Madan Lal has a shout for leg-before against Viv Richards in the World Cup final. | Photo Credit: ALL SPORT

1. MOHINDER AMARNATH - 3/12 (LORD’S)

Amarnath’s seven-over spell helped India finish the game. He got the breakthrough wickets of Jeff Dujon and Malcolm Marshall before hammering the final nail in the coffin by removing Michael Holding to beat West Indies in the 1983 final.