• sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 02/16/2024
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In a historic moment for Indian cricket, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reached a significant milestone by claiming his 500th Test wicket during the ongoing third Test against England at Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium. The 37-year-old spinner achieved this feat by dismissing Zak Crawley, who was caught by Rajat Patidar for 15 runs in England’s first innings. Ashwin is now the second Indian bowler to reach the coveted 500-wicket mark in Test cricket, following the legendary Anil Kumble.

Anil Kumble, the former Indian leg-spinner, achieved his 500th Test wicket by dismissing English batter Steve Harmison lbw in Mohali back in 2006. Coincidentally, Ashwin continued the tradition by getting his 500th scalp against an English batsman.

Ravichandran Ashwin made his Test debut for India in 2011 against West Indies in Delhi and is currently playing his 98th Test match. With an opportunity to reach the illustrious 100-Test club looming, Ashwin’s remarkable journey has been marked by consistent performances and match-winning contributions. He had his best Test figures of 7-59 against New Zealand in Indore in 2016.

R Ashwin Passes Dale Steyn in the Top 10 wicket-takers in Test history

Ashwin’s achievement places him among the elite bowlers in Test cricket, and he now stands as the ninth-highest wicket-taker with 500 wickets. He reached this milestone in just 98 Test matches, making him the second-quickest in Test history after Muttiah Muralitharan.

Reflecting on Ashwin’s accomplishment, teammate Ravindra Jadeja, who had playfully mentioned that it was Ashwin’s “destiny” to reach 500 wickets in Rajkot, expressed his joy. “I am very happy for him; I have been playing with him for years. I thought he would get it in the first test match, but it’s okay, it is destiny that he will get it here in my hometown,” Jadeja remarked on the eve of the Test.

Ashwin’s career boasts 34 five-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket match hauls, underlining his prowess as one of the premier spinners in international cricket. Alongside James Anderson and Nathan Lyon, Ashwin is among the select group of active bowlers with over 400 wickets in Test cricket. His significant contribution to Indian cricket continues to shape the team’s success on the international stage.