ICC World Test Championship: 3 Most Memorable Spells Of Ravichandran Ashwin In The Tournament

The chICC World Test Championship has reached its climax and India will square off with New Zealand in the final next month. One of India’s trump cards in the tournament has been, Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary off-spinner. ICC WTC final will be played at the Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium in Southampton, England, and commence on June 18, 2021. India finished on the top spot in the points table after winning 11 matches and losing 4 out of 17. One match ended in a draw. New Zealand won 7 matches and lost 4 out of 11 they played and finished on the 2^nd spot.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been phenomenal for India in ICC World Test Championship. The right-arm spinner is the highest wicket-taker for India with 67 wickets in 24 innings. He has grabbed a 5-wicket haul four times and is also the 3rd highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

The off-spinner Ashwin needs 4 more wickets to surpass Pat Cummins (70) as the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Test Championship. Ashwin has bowled few memorable spells with his spin attack during the tournament. Here we relive Ashwin’s 3 most memorable spells in ICC World Test Championship.

ICC World Test Championship: 3 Most Memorable Spells Of Ravichandran Ashwin In The Tournament

7/145 Against South Africa

Ashwin’s best spell in ICC World Test Championship is taking 7 wickets against South Africa. This is also the best bowling figure by an Indian bowler in the tournament in an innings. During India vs South Africa 1st Test at Visakhapatnam in October 2019, Ashwin scalped 7 wickets while conceding 145 runs.

India batted first in the match and scored 502/7 (d) with a double century by Mayank Agarwal (215) and a century by Rohit Sharma (176). South Africa witnessed Dean Elgar (160) and Quinton de Kock (111) smashing centuries. South Africa were bowled out for 431 after Ashwin picked 7 wickets.

Ashwin’s 7-wicket haul was very crucial for the Indian team as the proteas could have put a lead on India with their powerful batting. In the 2nd innings, India scored 323-4 (d) to give a 395-run target to South Africa. South Africa were bowled out for just 191 and India won the match by 203 runs.

5/43 Against England

India hosted England in Chennai in the 2nd Test after losing the 1st match. Being 1-0 down, India had to make a comeback in the series. India scored 329-10 in the 1st innings. In response, England were bowled out just 134 thanks to a 5-wicket haul by Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner conceded only 43 runs in 23.5 overs. ‘

In the 2nd innings, India were bowled out for 286 and England had a target of 482. However, the visitors were crushed at just 164, with Ashwin picking 3 wickets in the 2nd innings. Ashwin was also awarded player of the match and India leveled the 4-match Test series 1-1.

5/47 against England

Ravichandran Ashwin took another 5-wicket-haul against England in ICC World Test Championship. During the 4th Test at Ahmadabad in March 2021, Ashwin bowled a brilliant spell in the 2nd innings. With a 2-1 lead, India had to win or draw the match so as to claim the series win. England scored 205-10 in the first innings with a fifty by Ben Stokes (55). India scored 365 with a century by Rishabh Pant (101) and an unbeaten 96 by Washington Sundar.

Trailing by 160 runs, England could not face the spin attack of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. Ravichandran Ashwin picked 5 wickets for 47 runs as England were bowled out for just 135. Axar Patel also took a 5-wicket haul in the innings. India managed a massive victory over England by an innings and 25 runs and won the series 3-1. After the match, Ravichandran Ashwin was declared player of the series was his 32 wickets in 4 Test matches.