Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s outstanding spinner, has reached a monumental milestone in his illustrious career. With great finesse and skill, the 36-year-old off-spinner has now claimed his 700th International wicket, leaving fans and experts alike in awe. This remarkable feat was accomplished during the India vs West Indies 1st Test when Ashwin skillfully dismissed Alzarri Joseph. Among Indian bowlers, only the legendary Anil Kumble and the esteemed Harbhajan Singh surpass Ashwin in terms of international wickets.
Having proudly represented India for over a decade, Ashwin’s dedication and talent have earned him the coveted title of the number one ranked Test bowler and the second-ranked all-rounder in the world. His remarkable achievements include an impressive tally of 72 wickets in T20s, 151 wickets in ODIs, and a staggering 477 wickets in Test cricket. While his days in the shortest format of the game may be behind him, Ashwin continues to astound spectators with his mastery in red-ball cricket.
Witnessing Ashwin’s journey in international cricket is nothing short of witnessing history in the making. His statistics speak volumes about the profound impact he has had on the Indian team. In the realm of most international wickets for Indian players, Anil Kumble reigns supreme with a remarkable 956 wickets, closely followed by Harbhajan Singh with 711 wickets.
Since Ashwin’s debut in June 2010, no other player has managed to surpass the extraordinary milestone of 650 international wickets. The closest contender is New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who has achieved an impressive 636 wickets, albeit after participating in 28 more matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Milestone Moment and Spinners’ Dominance Steal the Show in Thrilling Test Series.
Ashwin is on the verge of surpassing a significant milestone in this thrilling two-match Test series. Notably, Ashwin’s exceptional performance against the West Indies marked his third Test five-wicket haul, a remarkable feat acknowledged by the International Cricket Council.
In a captivating moment, Alzarri Joseph fell victim to Ashwin’s cunning tactics, becoming the illustrious spinner’s 700th wicket. In a desperate attempt to clear the boundary, Joseph underestimated the carom ball and only managed to produce a thick edge. The ever-reliable Jaydev Unadkat made no mistake in comfortably taking the catch, sending Joseph back to the pavilion with a mere 4 runs off 11 deliveries.
Shifting focus to the match itself, the hosts endured a challenging time, as they were bundled out for a modest total of 150 runs during the third session of the first day. The spinners took center stage, with Ashwin and Jadeja combining their talents to claim a total of 8 wickets, showcasing their absolute dominance over the proceedings.
| PLAYER | SPAN | MATCHES | INNINGS | BALLS | OVERS | MAIDENS | RUNS | WICKETS |
| Anil Kumble | 1990-2008 | 132 | 236 | 40850 | 6808.2 | 1576 | 18355 | 619 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 2011-2023 | 93* | 175 | 24720 | 4120.0 | 852 | 11404 | 479 |
| Kapil Dev | 1978-1994 | 131 | 227 | 27740 | 4623.2 | 1060 | 12867 | 434 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 1998-2015 | 103 | 190 | 28580 | 4763.2 | 871 | 13537 | 417 |
| Ishant Sharma | 2007-2021 | 105 | 188 | 19160 | 3193.2 | 640 | 10078 | 311 |
As the first day of the thrilling West Indies vs India Test comes to a close, the stumps have been called, and the score stands at a promising 80/0 in favor of Team India. Captain Rohit Sharma and the young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal have ignited a sensational start, displaying their prowess and setting a solid foundation for the team.
Together, the duo formed an impressive partnership, leaving the West Indies bowlers struggling for breakthroughs. Their calculated approach, combined with some scintillating strokeplay, frustrated the opposition and laid the groundwork for a potentially dominant batting display.
Strategic Decision: Team India’s Bowling Coach Explains Ravichandran Ashwin’s Bench Role in WTC Final.
Paras Mhambrey, the former Indian cricketer and Team India’s esteemed bowling coach, shed light on the decision to leave Ravichandran Ashwin on the bench during the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, emphasizing that it was a strategic move based on the conditions at The Oval.
Speaking during the press conference after an eventful Day 1, Mhambrey revealed that the decision was carefully made after assessing the morning conditions. Recognizing the challenges of sidelining a champion bowler like Ashwin, he explained,
It is always a very difficult decision to drop a champion bowler like him. Considering the conditions in the morning, we felt that an additional seamer would provide an advantage to the team.
The 50-year-old bowling coach highlighted that in the past, playing an extra seamer had proven beneficial for the Indian Cricket Team. The decision was ultimately influenced by the observations of the morning conditions.
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It has also worked in the past for us. Seamers have excelled in these conditions. While one can always look back and speculate about the potential benefits of an additional spinner, we made the call based on the conditions,
Mhambrey explained.
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During team discussions, we analyze the composition over a period of days. We trained here for three to four days before the game, and conversations occur with the players based on the pitch conditions and other factors.”
Mhambrey’s explanation offered valuable perspectives into how the team arrives at their decisions, highlighting the thorough and careful approach adopted by the coaching staff. Their goal is to enhance the team’s performance even in demanding circumstances, demonstrating their commitment to strategic planning and thoughtful analysis.
Also Read: Record-Breaking Viewership: India vs Australia WTC Final Captivates Millions
