Anil Kumble comes up with a very special demand for Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of his 100th Test match
Published - 07 Mar 2024, 10:59 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:28 AM
Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble heaped praise on veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of his 100th Test match. Anil Kumble acknowledged Ravichandran Ashwin???s remarkable achievements and emphasized his pivotal role in winning matches for India.
On Thursday, March 7, Ravichandran Ashwin became the 14th Indian cricketer to represent the country in 100 Test matches. He achieved this remarkable feat as India is set to face England in the fifth match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer made his Test debut for India against the West Indies in 2011. Since then, the off-spinner has emerged as one of India???s match-winners, particularly at home. He also achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets during the third Test in Rajkot.
The 37-year-old has picked up 507 wickets at an impressive average of 23.91, with 35 five-fers and eight 10-wicket match hauls. He has the chance to become the fourth bowler, after Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Kumble, to pick a fifer in a landmark match.
Congratulations Ravichandran Ashwin ??? Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble took to X (formerly Twitter) to extend his congratulations to Ravichandran Ashwin as he nears a significant milestone in his cricket career. Kumble urged Ashwin to maintain his stellar performance in securing victories for the Indian team.
???Congratulations on your tests @ashwinravi99 Proud of all your achievements. Continue to win matches for India. A champion par excellence! Many more to come,??? Kumble wrote.
After achieving his 500th Test wicket, Ravichandran Ashwin had to abruptly depart for a family medical emergency. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Ashwin surprised many by returning on Day 4 of the Ranchi Test, demonstrating his dedication to the team???s cause.
Ashwin hasn???t been a regular member of India???s XI in overseas matches, where the team often favors four seamers and one spinner, typically Ravindra Jadeja. However, he has contributed to the Indian cricket team despite not being part of the playing XI in SENA countries.
England Opt Bat First In Fifth Test Match
India started the Test series against England on a disappointing note, suffering a 28-run defeat in the first Test in Hyderabad despite holding a substantial first-innings lead. However, they rebounded and secured wins in the next three matches to claim a series victory.
The Rohit Sharma-led team made two changes to their playing XI for the final game. Devdutt Padikkal received his Test cap, replacing Rajat Patidar in the lineup. Jasprit Bumrah returned to the team after missing the last match, where India won by five wickets in Ranchi.
England, on the other hand, also made one change to their attack. Mark Wood replaced Ollie Robinson for the final match of the long tour of India. England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first in the Dharamsala Test.
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes(c), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes(w), Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood, James Anderson
