IND vs ENG: List of records achieved by Ravi Ashwin on his way to 500 test wickets

Ravi Ashwin became ninth bowler to pick 500 or more wickets in test cricket.

In the ongoing third test match between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, veteran off-spinner Ravi Ashwin achieved a major career milestone in his test career. Before coming into the third test match against England of the ongoing five-match series, Ashwin who was on 499 wickets, was aiming to reach the 500 wickets landmark.

On day 2 of the Rajkot test match, in response to India’s 445 that they made in the first innings, England came out to bat and started on a positive note with Ben Duckett smashing a quick 39-ball fifty, which helped the visitors reach 67/0 in 10 overs. Veteran off-spinner Ravi Ashwin came into the attack with India desperately needing a wicket to stop this opening partnership of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

In his second over, Ashwin removed Zak Crawley, who was attempting to play a sweep shot. After dismissing English opener, Ashwin etched his name in test cricket history of reaching 500 test wickets. Ashwin, who made his test debut in November 2011, has been India’s strike bowler in tests, particularly at home, where 347 of his 500 wickets have come as of now.

Here is the list of records Ravi Ashwin added to his illustrious test career after reaching the ‘500 wickets club‘:

1. Second Indian bowler to complete 500 test wickets:

Veteran off-spinner became the second Indian bowler after legendary cricketer and leg-spinner Anil Kumble to take 500 or more test wickets while playing for India. Currently, Ashwin has 500* wickets in 98* test matches while, Kumble took 619 wickets in 132 games.

2. Second-quickest bowler in test history to reach 500 wickets:

Ashwin achieved the feat in 98 test matches, making him the second-quickest in test history to reach the milestone after Muttiah Muralitharan. Each of the other seven bowlers took more than 100 test matches to get to the milestone. The Indian veteran-off spinner is now the second-quickest bowler in test history to reach 500 wickets after Sri Lankan legendary spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan.

3. First Indian player to score 3000 runs and take 500 wickets in test cricket:

Apart from entering the ‘500 club,’ Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also achieved a unique record in Indian test cricket history. The 37-year-old cricketer became the first-ever Indian player to score 3000 runs and pick 500 or more wickets in the longest format of the game. Only three cricketers – Shane Warne, Stuart Broad and now Ravi Ashwin have achieved this rare feat in test cricket.

4. Ninth test bowler to breach 500-wickets mark:

After dismissing English batter Zak Crawley in their first innings of the third test match at Rajkot on Friday, Ashwin became the ninth test bowler to reach the 500-wicket landmark in the longest format of the game.

The legendary list includes Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708), James Anderson (696), Anil Kumble (619), Stuart Broad (604), Glenn McGrath (563), Courtney Walsh (519) and Nathan Lyon (517).

5. Fifth spinner to reach 500-wicket landmark in test cricket history:

After reaching the ‘500 wicket club,’ Ashwin joined Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, and Nathan Lyon as the only fifth spinner to achieve this huge feat of taking 500 or more wickets in test cricket history.

(All stats and numbers updated till 16th February, 2024)

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