As India geared up for their first test series in 2024 at home soil versus the Bazball infused England team from 25th January 2024 in conquest to the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 table , all eyes were on experienced and veteran offspinner of India Ravichandran Ashwin. Indian ace off spinner on home pitches Ravichandran Ashwin has an impeccable record versus England and would had loved to continue the same in the upcoming series.
Ravichandran Ashwin was stranded on 499 wickets post Vizag Test was set to become second Indian spinner after legendary Anil Kumble (619 wickets) to become the second Indian spinner who will surpass 500 wickets mark in the upcoming match at Rajkot whenever he captures his first scalp in the third test match.
However since the first test which India lost till date in the ongoing second test Ravichandran Ashwin until the last day has not been able to stamp his authority over rampaging English batters in conditions where unlikely the previous tours pitches were even for both batter and bowlers.
As England newbie spinners Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed are amongst top wicket takers in the series it is to surprise that Indian top wicket taker is a fast bowler in Jasprit Bumrah with 12 wickets so far not Ravichandran Ashwin who has got 7 wickets till date in the series.
Ravichandran Ashwin – An effective all rounder reaches 500 Test wickets at Rajkot.
Ravichandran Ashwin who started his first class and school age cricket as an opening batter for his home team TamilNadu, is no geek with the bat having an average of 23.69 in tests with a strike rate of 51.48 inclusive of 5 test centuries out of which one came in the last series versus the Englishmen at home in Chennai where he and the other century man Rohit Sharma on a sluggish Chennai wicket helped India won a match.
With the ball on Indian pitches versus any opposition over a decade now Ashwin has been a threat since his test debut in 2011 having taken over the mantle of Indian spin legacy from the likes of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh successfully. His bowling figures at home stands an impressive at 337 wickets from 55 matches only with a best of 7 for 59 inclusive of 26 five wickets haul and 6 ten wickets hauls in both innings of a test match.
Ashwin has an impeccable record versus the Englishmen at home and away and in this series requires just eight more wickets to become India’s leading wicket taker versus England in tests. In this series where records would galore for Ravichandran Ashwin, he could be the only second bowler to complete 100 wickets in India -England tests after James Anderson(139 wickets).
Also Ashwin requires only 13 wickets to complete 350 test wickets at home. In the process Ashwin can also become second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble (895) to deliver 600 maiden overs in Tests in India . With so many records in sight it is evident that Ravichandran Ashwin was supposed to be an be an impending threat on the English batters. Ashwin boasts a stellar record at home with 346 wickets in 57 Tests at a sensational average of 21.27, including 26 five-wicket hauls.
India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday became only the second Indian and ninth overall to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. Ashwin accomplished the landmark during the third Test against England in Rajkot, making him only the second Indian after the legendary Anil Kumble to take 500 Test wickets.
Ashwin needed one wicket to reach 500 wickets before the start of the third Test and the off-spinner completed the milestone in England’s first innings when he dismissed Zak Crawley for 15. Zak Crawley fell to a top edge while attempting a sweep from outside leg. Ashwin’s teammates gathered around him to offer their congratulations, marking him as only the second Indian to reach this illustrious milestone. It’s undoubtedly a moment for celebration, but there’s also the recognition that there’s still work to be done in the larger context of the game.
Ashwin also became only the second bowler after Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan to take 500 wickets in less than 100 Tests. Ashwin, who has been the fastest Indian to reach 50, 100, 150, 200, 350, 400 and 450 Test wickets, is also the fastest in the world to reach 250 and 300 Test wickets.
Ashwin’s journey to 500 Test wickets has been marked by a series of record-breaking achievements as the off-spinner set a world record by reaching 250 wickets in just 45 matches and continued his impressive form to reach 300 wickets in 54 matches. Ashwin’s relentless pursuit of excellence saw him reach 350 wickets in 66 Tests, and he secured his 400th wicket in his 77th Test match. By the time he played his 89th Test, he had already amassed 450 wickets.
This excellent journey from the Indian spin maestro of the modern generation garnered praises all the world for the massive achievement. However amidst this magnum achievement, Ashwin left Team India following Day 2 due to a medical emergency at home, but returned on Sunday and played a role in India’s record win over England.
Frantic 48 hours in the life of Ravichandran Ashwin .
Ravichandran Ashwin, the seasoned spinner for India, experienced a frantic 48 hours during the third Test of the series against England. Roughly a few hours after the remarkable achievement of claiming his 500th wicket in Test cricket, Ashwin was abruptly forced away from the ongoing Rajkot Test match due to a family emergency.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) swiftly released a statement announcing Ashwin’s departure from the match midway after Day 2. Ashwin did, however, manage to rejoin the Indian team on Day 4 after tending to his family matters in Chennai.
Upon his return, Ashwin played a role in India’s colossal 434-run win, snaring a wicket in his economical six-over spell, conceding just 19 runs. As Ashwin took the field post-tea on Day 4, Ravi Shastri revealed on-air that the BCCI arranged a charter plane to fly Ashwin back to Rajkot from Chennai, thus allowing him to play again.
Ashwin’s quick reintegration into the team and subsequent contribution certainly highlights his professionalism and commitment to the sport, and the team. However, his wife, Prithi Narayanan has now revealed just how difficult the 48 hours were when Ashwin had to fly back home.
“We chased the 500 to Hyderabad, it didn’t happen. To Vizag, it didn’t happen. So I just bought a ton of sweets and gave it to everyone at home at 499. 500 came and went quietly. Till it didn’t. A lot happened between 500 and 501. Longest 48 hours of our lives,” Ashwin’s wife wrote on Instagram.
“But this is about the 500. And the 499 before that. What a phenomenal achievement. What a phenomenal guy. I am insanely proud of you Ravi Ashwin. We love you!” she further added.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma also lauded Ashwin’s professionalism in returning to the team in the post-match press conference, while insisting that the off-spinner made the right call to fly back to Chennai.
Rohit Sharma appreciates Ravichandran Ashwin comeback and supports him.
Team India captain Rohit Sharma admitted that losing seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s services after the second day’s play in Rajkot was not easy. He, however, backed the bowler’s decision to pull out due to a family medical emergency and also lauded him for returning to the team on Day 4.
Ashwin withdrew from the Rajkot Test against England after Day 2 to visit his ailing mother. He rejoined the team on Day 4 and even picked up a wicket as India hammered England by 434 runs – their biggest Test win in terms of runs.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rohit shared his thoughts on Ashwin’s decision to pull out of the third Test.
“When you lose your most experienced bowler, especially in the middle of the Test match, it’s not easy. But everything was (at a) side, family comes first. When we heard the news, there was no second thought in our mind that he should do what he feels is right. He wanted to be with the family, which is an absolutely right thing to do and good on him to actually make a way and come here and be part of the team on this day as well,” Rohit said.
Praising Ashwin’s decision to return to the team and bowl in the second innings, the Indian captain added:
“(It) shows the character and shows the kind of person he is, wanting to put everything ahead for the team.”
Ashwin registered figures of 1/19 from six overs as England were bowled out for 122 after being set a target of 557 giving India a healthy 2-1 lead over England as they now head to Ranchi for the 4th Test starting 23rd February with boosted self confidence .