Advertisment
India vs England 2024 Cricket

'Ash anna supremacy' - Fans hail Ravichandran Ashwin for entering 500 Test wicket club during IND vs ENG 3rd Rajkot clash

Ashwin is the fastest Indian player to reach 50, 100, 150, 200, 350, 400 and 450 Test wickets. Moreover, the fastest player in the world to take 250 and 300 Test wickets. 

author-image
Mathew K
New Update
R Ashwin (Source: X)

R Ashwin (Source: X)

One of the modern spin legends, Ravichandran Ashwin scripted history in Rajkot during the India vs England third Test. The home side's premier off-spinner on Friday (February 16) became only the second Indian and ninth overall to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. The massive milestone in Ashwin's career came during England's first innings on Day 2 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. 

Advertisment

The 37-year-old was just one wicket away from entering the 500 Test wicket club before the start of the third Test. The veteran spinner completed the feat by dismissing English opener Zak Crawley for 15 off the first ball of the 14th over. Former India captain Anil Kumble is the only Indian to have joined the elite club before.

Notably, Ashwin became the fastest Indian and second-fastest overall to take 500 wickets in the red-ball cricket. The bowling all-rounder achieved this feat in his 98th Test match. Apart from Ashwin, only Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 500 wickets in less than 100 Tests.

In his illustrious journey so far, the Tamil Nadu cricketer has also set other records. He is the fastest Indian player to reach 50, 100, 150, 200, 350, 400 and 450 Test wickets. Moreover, the fastest player in the world to take 250 and 300 Test wickets. 

Advertisment

Ashwin's landmark wicket gives India a huge breakthrough 

Centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, fine performances from debutants Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jural, and effective cameos from Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah gave India a good lead of 445 runs. In reply, the English openers started strongly with Ben Duckett using their Bazball strategy effectively on a track that assist batters more. 

Duckett raced to his fifty off just 39 deliveries and England reached 67 runs in just 10 overs. India were desperate for a wicket and Ashwin broke the 89-run partnership by removing Crawley in the 14th over. The right-handed batter tried to sweep a tossed-up delivery but found the top edge of the bat. Rajat Patidar sprinted a few distance back at fine-leg to take a comfortable catch.  

Advertisment

Here's how fans reacted to Ravichandran Ashwin completing 500 Test wickets: 

India featured Ravichandran Ashwin India vs England 2024