India braces for the climactic fifth Test against England at Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, with all eyes on the formidable Ravichandran Ashwin. Amidst his stellar performance throughout the series, Ashwin emerges as a pivotal figure, sharing the title of India’s leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps. As the much-anticipated fifth Test kicks off on March 7, Ashwin stands poised to etch his name in cricketing history by surpassing Anil Kumble’s legendary record.
Awaiting only 5 wickets in an innings to secure his 36th five-wicket haul in Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin is on the brink of overtaking Anil Kumble, thus solidifying his position as India’s preeminent wicket-taker in Test cricket.
India’s distinguished bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test matches are as follows:
- Ravichandran Ashwin – 35
- Anil Kumble – 35
- Harbhajan Singh – 25
- Kapil Dev – 23
- BS Chandrasekhar – 16
Beyond the quest for individual records, the Dharamsala Test holds special significance for Ravichandran Ashwin as he marks his 100th Test appearance. Joining the ranks of cricketing luminaries, Ashwin becomes the 14th Indian cricketer and the third spinner from India to achieve this monumental milestone in the annals of Test cricket.
Throughout the ongoing Test series against England, Ravichandran Ashwin has consistently etched his name in the annals of cricketing history. In the third Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Ashwin achieved the rare feat of claiming 500 Test wickets, becoming only the second Indian after Anil Kumble to accomplish this remarkable milestone. Remarkably, he accomplished this feat in just 98 matches, making him the second-fastest to reach this historic landmark.
Further showcasing his dominance, Ashwin surpassed Anil Kumble’s tally of Test wickets in India during the fourth Test in Ranchi, claiming his 350th wicket on home soil. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Anil Kumble as the only Indian bowler to achieve 350 wickets in India, Ashwin continues to etch his name in cricketing folklore with each match.
