IND vs ENG: Ravi Ashwin gets special memento from coach Rahul Dravid for playing 100th test

Ravi Ashwin has picked up 507 wickets so far in test cricket, with 35 five-wicket hauls.

Indian veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was given a special message by head coach Rahul Dravid ahead of the fifth test match against England at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on the occasion of his 100th test match.

Ahead of the match, Ashwin was felicitated by head coach Dravid in a heartwarming ceremony. The entire Indian team, along with Ashwin’s wife Prithi and children, were present to celebrate this remarkable achievement. Ashwin received a special commemorative cap, a token of appreciation for his journey to become the 14th Indian cricketer to play 100 tests.

This milestone comes after a phenomenal career for Ashwin. He boasts an impressive record of 507 wickets at an average of just over 23, including 35 five-wicket hauls. He’s also a handy batter, contributing over 3,300 runs with five centuries.

During the Rajkot test match against England, Ravichandran Ashwin became only the second Indian bowler after legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble to take 500 or more test wickets.

However, the 37-year-old Ashwin also joined a great list of bowlers such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Kumble, Glenn McGrath, Courtney Walsh and Nathan Lyon who have 500 or more test wickets.

India’s legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, with 200 Test matches, holds the record for most appearances in the format internationally.

England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first during the fifth test against India on Thursday. India have already clinched the five-match series 3-1. This is the first time that the Three Lions have lost a test series under the leadership of Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.

Despite the series being decided, there are valuable 12 ICC World Test Championship points up for grabs. This is also the 100th Test match for England batter Jonny Bairstow.

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes(c), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes(w), Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood, James Anderson

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