Ravichandran Ashwin creates history in 1st Test vs England, becomes first Indian to achieve this milestone

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a massive milestone during the ongoing first Test match against England. Ravichandran Ashwin became the first Indian cricketer to secure 150 wickets in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC).

England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat first in Hyderabad on Thursday, January 25. The visiting team had a promising start, as openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley added 55 runs for the first wicket in the opening session of the series opener.

Ravichandran Ashwin ended Ben Duckett’s innings with a brilliant delivery on Day 1. Duckett attempted to defend a ball, leaving a gap between the bat and pad. Ashwin trapped him in front of the stumps, and the replays confirmed the umpire’s decision would stand.

Vice-captain Ollie Pope faced difficulties against the Indian spinners from the beginning and was dismissed for just 1 run, with Rohit Sharma taking a fine low catch at slip off Ravindra Jadeja. Joe Root survived a close LBW call, as the third umpire detected an inside edge.

Ravichandran Ashwin secured his second wicket in England’s first innings by dismissing Zak Crawley, restricting the visiting team to 60/3. Crawley attempted an aggressive shot against Ashwin, but it went towards Mohammed Siraj, who made an excellent catch at mid-off.

Ravichandran Ashwin Completes 150 Wickets In WTC History

Ravichandran Ashwin started the first Test match with 148 wickets in 30 matches in the World Test Championship. The 37-year-old spinner became the third bowler, following Australia’s Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, to complete 150 wickets in the history of the WTC.

The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer holds the third position among bowlers with the most wickets in the WTC. Ashwin is 20 wickets away from surpassing the top two, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. The three bowlers will participate in a few more Tests before the IPL 2024.

Most wickets in the ICC World Test Championship

Pat Cummins – 169 wickets in 40 matches

Nathan Lyon – 169 wickets in 41 matches

Ravichandran Ashwin – 150 wickets in 31 matches

Mitchell Starc – 140 wickets in 36 matches

Stuart Broad – 134 wickets in 33 matches

Ashwin made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011. The off-spinner represented India in 94 Tests and picked up 492 wickets at an average of 23.64, including 34 five-wicket hauls in an innings. Despite his bowling prowess, he wasn’t a sure starter in overseas Tests.

There Could Be A Theesra and Choutha – Ravi Shastri

During a conversation on Jio Cinema, former India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed confidence that Ravichandran Ashwin could play a significant role in the Test series against England. Shastri stated that Ashwin might try new variations in the upcoming matches.

“Ashwin just mentioned, I am going to get up do better. Now that he has had this haircut and his brain is free, with the air going through, now can you imagine what all he is thinking? There could be a ‘Theesra’, there could be a ‘Choutha’. England will find out very soon, in the next couple of months,” Shastri told Jio Cinema.

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