In a thrilling encounter against England in the second Test at Vizag, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin fell just short of a significant milestone, ending the match with 499 Test wickets as India secured a commanding victory by 106 runs.
Ashwin was poised to surpass Anil Kumble as the fastest Indian bowler to reach 500 Test wickets, but he narrowly missed out on achieving this feat before England’s innings concluded. Despite the setback, Ashwin’s exceptional performance was not without its triumphs.
While the milestone may have eluded him, Ashwin carved his name in cricketing history by becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in Test matches against England, surpassing the legendary Bhagwath Chandrasekhar’s record.
Heading into the Vizag Test, Ashwin was on the verge of claiming yet another prestigious title as India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests against England, falling just two wickets short. Although he remained off the mark in the first innings, Ashwin’s relentless pursuit of excellence remains evident.
While Ashwin may not hold the top spot in terms of leading wicket-takers in Test matches between India and England—currently held by veteran pacer James Anderson—his contributions to Indian cricket are undeniably significant.
With a commendable three-wicket haul in the second innings of the Vizag Test, Ashwin’s overall tally reached 499, setting the stage for Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics that ultimately secured India’s victory, leveling the series at 1-1.
