Ravichandran Ashwin bags a HISTORIC record to script history in ICC World Test Championship

Whenever Team India plays a Test series, nowadays, Ravichandran Ashwin achieves a new record and something similar happened during the ongoing India vs New Zealand 2nd Test.

During Day 1 of the IND vs NZ 2nd Test at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the Indian spinner grabbed two wickets to become the highest-ever wicket-taker in ICC World Test Championship tournaments.

During the previous India vs Bangladesh Test series, Ashwin surpassed former West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh for the record of a total number of Test wickets. Walsh, who represented West Indies from 1984 to 2001, has the figures of 519 Test wickets.

Ravichandran Ashwin reaches 188 wickets in ICC WTC history to script history

Ravichandran Ashwin now has a total of 188 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship. He is followed by the Australian trio of Nathan Lyon (187 wickets), Pat Cummins (175 wickets), and Mitchell Starc (147 wickets). Former England pacer Stuart Broad is fifth on the list with 134 wickets.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗡, 𝗔𝗦𝗛! Ravichandran Ashwin spins his way into the history books, becoming the highest wicket-taker in WTC history! 🔥#INDvNZ #TamilNaduCricket #TNCA #TNCricket pic.twitter.com/y5pHGfKhel

— TNCA (@TNCACricket) October 24, 2024

Notably, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon are still active in ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 and are active members of the Australia Test Team. However, Ashwin has close competition with only Lyon and Cummins.

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Ashwin averages 20+ in ICC World Test Championship

Surprisingly, Ravichandran Ashwin has a stunning bowling average of just 20.74 in ICC World Test Championship. He has been part of all three WTC cycles- ICC WTC 2019-21, ICC WTC 2021-23, and ICC WTC 2023-25.

The right-arm spinner owns a strike rate of 44.45 and played on 39 Tests across three tournaments; playing in a total of 74 innings. His best bowling show is 7/71.

Notably, Ashwin is also the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests after Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets in his kitty. Currently, Kumble holds the 4th spot in most Test wickets while Ashwin takes the 7th spot with 530 wickets in 104 Tests.

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R Ashwin gives early breakthrough to India in 2nd Test

During Day 1 of India vs New Zealand 1st Test, the Indian spinner grabbed early breakthroughs for the team. He dismissed England skipper Tom Latham (15) and one-down Will Young (18) cheaply.

At the end of 1st session, New Zealand reached 97-2 at the end of 31 overs with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra on strike. Opener Conway has crossed his half-century in the match. The IND vs NZ 2nd Test takes place at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

New Zealand leads the series 1-0 after winning the 1st Test by 8 wickets. The series will witness a total of three games. India has the top spot in ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 while New Zealand takes the 4th spot in the points table.