Ravichandran Ashwin has been all over England in the second innings (Twitter)
In a sensational feat during the fourth Test against England, Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin went past Anil Kumble's longstanding record to become the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket on Indian soil. Ashwin, who previously crossed the 500 Test wicket milestone in the third Test at Rajkot, has once again written his name deep in cricket history.
Ashwin claims record for most Test wickets in India
The momentous occasion came in the second innings against England in the ongoing Test in Ranchi after India was dismissed for 307 runs. Ashwin swiftly made his mark by dismissing England's Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in successive deliveries, thus surpassing Kumble's 16-year-old record.
With Pope's dismissal, Ravichandran Ashwin's tally of Test wickets in India reached 351, edging past Kumble's 350 wickets.
This achievement places Ashwin at the top of Indian cricket, far ahead of other Indian bowlers, with Harbhajan Singh trailing behind at 265 Test wickets on home soil.
Most Test Wickets on Indian Soil
Player | Span | Matches | Innings | Wickets |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ravichandran Ashwin | 2011-2024 | 59 | 115 | 352 |
Anil Kumble | 1993-2008 | 63 | 115 | 350 |
Harbhajan Singh | 1998-2013 | 55 | 103 | 265 |
Kapil Dev | 1978-1994 | 65 | 119 | 219 |
Ravindra Jadeja | 2012-2024 | 43 | 85 | 210 |
Ashwin's achievement is notable in the context of global cricket as well, joining an elite group of bowlers who have claimed over 350 Test wickets in their respective countries.
This list includes the legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 493 of his 800 Test wickets in Sri Lanka, and England's pace duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who have 434 and 398 wickets in England, respectively.
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that Ashwin's journey to the 500 Test wickets was briefly interrupted by a family emergency during the Rajkot Test, but the spinner made a winning return to the team.
Now 37, Ashwin's illustrious career has seen him become only the second Indian and the ninth cricketer worldwide to take over 500 wickets in Test cricket.