Ravichandran Ashwin is about to become the first Indian player to 500 wickets in a Test match. Anil Kumble currently owns the record.
After finishing with 499 wickets in the second Test at Vizag, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was unable to become the fastest player in his country to get 500 Test wickets. India defeated England by 106 runs. With only a few overs to go before Ben Stokes’ team was bowled out, Ashwin appeared to be on the verge of surpassing Kumble to become the fastest Indian to reach 500 wickets in the game’s longest format. Nevertheless, Ashwin proceeded to set yet another incredible record.
As he emerged as India’s top wicket-taker in Test matches against England, Ashwin made history. The off-spinner became the first person to own the milestone, surpassing the renowned leg-spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar has amassed eight five-wicket hauls and 95 wickets from 23 wickets in the match against England.
Ashwin was two wickets away from owning the record for most wickets taken by India in Test matches against England before to the Vizag Test. He failed to take a single wicket in the first innings and was not successful at all. But in terms of most wicket-takers in India vs England Test matches, Ashwin isn’t at the top of the list.With 36 Test matches under his belt against India, veteran bowler James Anderson holds the top rank with three wickets taken in the first innings of the encounter.
Fastest to 500 Test wickets:
- Mutthiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka) in 87 matches
- Anil Kumble (India) in 105 matches
- Shane Warne (Australia) in 108 matches
- Glenn McGrath (Australia) in 110 matches
- Courtney Walsh (West Indies) in 129 matches
- James Anderson (England) in 129 matches
- Stuart Broad (England) in 140 matches
Ashwin picked up three wickets in the second innings of the Vizag Test, taking his overall tally to 499. But, it was the Jasprit Bumrah show that sealed India’s victory, helping the hosts level the series 1-1.
