On the second day of the Rajkot Test against England, Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's renowned spinners, made history in cricket as he became only the third Indian bowler to enter the 500-wicket club in Test cricket. Ashwin's exceptional accomplishment on Friday, February 16th, 2024, showcases his extraordinary talent and cements his position among the greatest spinners to have ever played the game.
In his 98th Test match, Ashwin reached this momentous milestone, following in the footsteps of the legendary Anil Kumble, who also holds an esteemed position in Indian cricket, having previously accomplished the same feat. By achieving this remarkable milestone, Ashwin joins an exclusive group of exceptional bowlers who have made an enduring impact on the sport.
Ravichandran Ashwin's attainment of 500 Test wickets in his 98th match not only solidifies his position as one of the prominent bowlers in the game but also grants him membership in an esteemed club alongside Sri Lanka's revered spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Notably, Ashwin is only the second bowler in the history of cricket to accomplish this distinction in fewer than 100 Test matches, with Muralitharan accomplishing the feat in just 87 matches.
Ashwin holds various accolades as the fastest Indian bowler to reach significant milestones, including 50, 100, 150, 200, 350, 400, and 450 Test wickets, serving as a testament to his consistent brilliance on the field.
Furthermore, Ashwin also holds the remarkable title of being the fastest bowler in the world to reach 250 and 300 Test wickets, underscoring his unparalleled dominance and impact in the longest format of the game.
Ashwin needed just one wicket to achieve this remarkable feat, and it came in the form of English opener Zak Crawley. Crawley attempted a sweep shot but mistimed it, resulting in the ball finding its way into the safe hands of Rajat Patidar at short fine leg.
Ravichandran Ashwin has embarked on a remarkable journey in the cricketing realm since his Test debut in 2011. It was no trivial undertaking to succeed iconic spinners such as Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. Demonstrating his immense prowess, Ashwin notched up an impressive nine five-wicket hauls in his initial 16 Test matches, a testament to his effortless skill in dismantling opposition batting line-ups.
Ashwin has demonstrated his prowess not just in Test cricket but also in the game's shorter formats. His significant contribution can be seen through his achievement of taking 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, making him an essential asset in India's bowling attack by consistently providing crucial breakthroughs and maintaining control during the middle overs. Furthermore, he has outstanding performances in T20 Internationals, accumulating 72 wickets in only 65 matches.
Fastest to 500 Test wickets:
Mutthiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) in 87 matches
Ravichandran Ashwin (India) in 98 matches
Anil Kumble (India) in 105 matches
Shane Warne (Australia) in 108 matches
Glenn McGrath (Australia) in 110 matches
Courtney Walsh (West Indies) in 129 matches
James Anderson (England) in 129 matches
Stuart Broad (England) in 140 matches
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