In his 100th Test, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made cricket history, surpassing Muttiah Muralitharan’s world record by securing remarkable bowling figures of 9/128.
In a monumental display of skill and determination, Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name in cricket history during his 100th Test match, achieving a feat that surpassed the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan. The setting for this cricketing spectacle was the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala, where Ashwin showcased his unparalleled prowess as a spin bowler.
The record-breaking moment unfolded on Day 3 of the match when Ashwin claimed a staggering 9 wickets, shattering Muralitharan’s previous world record of 9/141 in a centennial Test. The final dismissal came in the form of Ben Foakes, securing Ashwin’s place in the annals of cricketing greatness. His bowling figures of 9/128 not only reflected his exceptional skills but also symbolized a historic milestone in the sport.
Ashwin’s journey to this historic achievement was marked by key moments that defined his performance in the match. In the first innings, despite a forgettable outing with the bat resulting in a duck, Ashwin’s bowling heroics unfolded as he claimed four crucial wickets, contributing significantly to restricting England to 218.
The real spectacle, however, began on the third day as Ashwin wasted no time leaving an indelible mark. In just the second over of the innings, he sent Ben Duckett back to the pavilion with a delivery that dismantled the stumps. Swiftly following up, Ashwin dismissed the dangerous Zak Crawley, showcasing his ability to outsmart even the most formidable batsmen.
The tenth over witnessed yet another masterstroke from Ashwin, as he outfoxed Ollie Pope with a brilliantly bowled short delivery that caught him off guard during a sweep shot attempt. A pivotal moment occurred just before lunch when Ashwin, with a deceptive slider, dismissed the English captain, Ben Stokes, leaving the gate open and crashing into the middle and off stump.
This historic performance not only surpassed the records set by cricketing legends Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev in terms of most wickets in the 100th Test but also marked Ashwin’s 36th five-wicket haul.
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Ben Foakes became the victim of this milestone, further solidifying Ashwin’s position as one of the greatest spin bowlers in the history of Indian cricket. Additionally, he surpassed Kumble for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian in Test history, with a total of 36 fifers to his name.
Ravichandran Ashwin‘s 100th Test will be remembered as a testament to his exceptional skill, unwavering dedication, and his ability to redefine cricketing milestones.