WATCH: Nathan Lyon's heartwarming message for Ravichandran Ashwin on joining 500 Test wicket club

India's premier spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a huge career milestone during the ongoing third Test against England in Rajkot on Friday. Ashwin has joined the elite list of bowlers who have taken 500 or more wickets in the longest format of the game. He thus became the second Indian and ninth overall to achieve this feat. 

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Ashwin is currently sitting alongside some of the legends of the game like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson, Anil Kumble, Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath, Courtney Walsh and Nathan Lyon. Apart from him, Australia's spin wizard Lyon and England pace spearhead Anderson are the only two active cricketers in this club. 

In a heartwarming gesture, Lyon shared a special congratulatory message for the veteran Indian cricketer on his social media. The New South Wales cricketer's 500th wicket was Pakistan's Faheem Ashraf in the Perth Test last year. 

Ashwin and Lyon are currently the two finest spinners in the world in red-ball cricket. The two share a brotherly bond off the field and compliment each other on their achievements. When Lyon became the eighth bowler in history to achieve the milestone last December, Ashwin hailed him as the 'GOAT'. Now the Australian has praised him in a video message on his X handle. 

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“Hi Ash, just wanted to say, massive congratulations for taking 500 Test match wickets. It’s been an incredible journey to watch. I have got nothing but respect for the way you have gone about it. It’s been amazing to be competing against you, but also learn from you. Congratulations and plenty more to come,” Lyon said.

Watch the video below: 

Nathan Lyon congratulating Ravi Ashwin on 500 Test wickets.

- The mutual respect between Ash and Lyon. 👏pic.twitter.com/OgQ4paxgJl

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 16, 2024

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Ashwin becomes second-fastest player to take 500 Test wickets

Ashwin completed 500 Test wickets in England's first innings of the third Test. He dismissed English opener Zak Crawley for 15 off the first ball of the 14th over. The wicket also resulted in India getting a huge breakthrough as England were going hard with their Bazball approach to overcome the hosts' lead of 445 runs. 

The Tamil Nadu cricketer became the fastest Indian and second-fastest overall to take 500 wickets in Test format. He achieved this feat in his 98th Test match. Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan is the fastest player to achieve this feat.