Top 3 bowling performances of Munaf Patel in ODIs 

In the middle of the 2000’s the Indian Cricket team saw the emergence of many young fast-bowling prospects. RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, and S Sreesanth had already been making waves at the Indian domestic and age-group level. 

Munaf Patel first rose to fame when he bowled to Steve Waugh during a net session in Mumbai and managed to impress the then-Aussie skipper. After waiting for three years, Munaf Patel made his ODI debut vs England and went wicketless. 

In a total of 70 ODI matches, Munaf Patel played for India he picked 86 wickets with a best of 4/29. His biggest moment came when he played a pivotal part for the Indian team in its successful 2011 ODI World Cup campaign. 

Here are the top 3 best bowling performances by Munaf Patel in ODI cricket 

3- 2/40 vs Pakistan – Mohali -2011 

The best-ever spell bowled by an Indian bowler during the 2011 ODI World Cup came when Munaf Patel bowled 10 overs in the semi-finals. The right-arm pacer picked 2/40 and helped India win the game. His first wicket was that of Mohammad Hafeez as the Pakistani opener tried to scoop the ball and only managed to give a catch to MS Dhoni. 

Munaf Patel sent him back with a mouthful to give India the much-needed wicket. His next wicket was that of Abdul Razzaq as a brilliant slower ball saw Razzaq rooted to the spot and be castled for 3 as Munaf Patel let out a huge roar. 

2- 4/48 vs Bangladesh – Mirpur – 2011 

In the very first game of the 2011 ODI World Cup, India demolished the Bangladeshi bowling to score 370 from their 50 overs. Virender Sehwag scored 175 and a young Virat Kohli scored 100. In response, Bangladesh had got off to a good start with their openers firing on all cylinders. 

The introduction of Munaf Patel changed the game as the right-arm pacer ended with 4 wickets. Munaf Patel first dismissed Imrul Kayes for 34 followed by Tamim Iqbal for 70. This was followed by the wickets of Mahmudullah for 6 and Naeem Islam for 2 as India won by 87 runs. 

1- 4/29 vs South Africa – Johannesburg – 2011 

At the turn of the year in 2011, India were already 1-0 down in the 5-match ODI series to the field to play the second game in Johannesburg. Batting first the MS Dhoni-led side could score only 190 with Yuvraj Singh’s 53 being the top score. Munaf Patel put in his best-ever ODI performance as he picked 4/29 from 8 overs to help India win by 1 run. 

His first wicket of the day was Hashim Amla for 4 but the biggest scalp was that of Graeme Smith who was out for 77. Munaf Patel then dismissed Morne Morkel with the home team needing 3 to win. The end came when Patel had Wayne Parnell caught by Yuvraj Singh for 12 to enable an Indian win. 

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