IND vs AUS 1st Test: Ravi Ashwin leaves behind Anil Kumble on way to 450 Test scalps, joins elite club

IND vs AUS 1st Test: India’s Ravichandran Ashwin starred in the first innings of the Nagpur Test as he achieved a big feat in Test cricket. Ashwin, who was considered a nemesis for the Aussie line-up, struck late but found the prized wicket of Alex Carey, who was playing expressive cricket. When the Indian spin wizard sent the Australian wicket-keeper batter back to the hut, he became the second fastest player to bag 450 wickets in Test cricket history, surpassing Anil Kumble’s feat. 

Australia opted to bat first after winning the toss on a dry pitch of Nagpur. The  Aussies were jolted with a twin attack in the first session before Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne brought them back with a valiant fight. But once Jadeja got the duo, India sensed a comeback. However, Alex Carey was playing expressive cricket. Ravi Ashwin came into the attack in the 54th over and cleaned Carey as his reverse sweep backfired. In the process, he achieved a few rare feats and joined an elite club.

Ashwin became the second-fastest bowler in Test cricket history to bag 450 wickets in the longer format of the game. He took 450 wickets in 89 Test matches and is behind Sri Lanka’s Muthiah Muralidaran. The Lankan wizard took 450 wickets in 80 matches. Also, he went past former Indian legend Kumble, who reached the mark in 93 Test matches.

Ashwin only Asian to this record

Meanwhile, the Indian off-spinner is the only Asian player in the subcontinent to take 450 Test wickets and smash 3000 runs in Test cricket. The 36-year-old has hit 3043 runs in Test cricket and has 5 centuries to his name. In bowling, Ashwin has taken five-wicket hauls 30 times. 

Ashwin second Indian to take 450 Test wickets

Notably, the Indian star is the second Indian to take 450 wickets after the legendary Anil Kumble. The Indian leggie took 619 wickets in the longest format and is fourth on the list of all-time highest wicket-takers. Ashwin later sent back Aussie captain Pat Cummins back and took his 451st Test wicket.

9th in world to 450 wickets

Ashwin is now 9th in the world to take 450 Test wickets. He is in the elite list of bowlers like Murlidaran, Shane Warne, James Anderson and Anil Kumble, among others to take 450 scalps. 

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