• Home
  • Cricket News
  • R Ashwin On Verge Of Breaking Past Anil Kumbles Special Feat In Dharamsala Test

R Ashwin On Verge Of Breaking Past Anil Kumble's Special Feat In Dharamsala Test

Ashwin on the verge of going past Kumble's special feat in Tests [X.com]Ashwin on the verge of going past Kumble's special feat in Tests [X.com]

Ravichandran Ashwin's much-anticipated 100th Test match for India in Dharamshala against England could become special for the modern-day great spinner for more than one reason. 

Apart from joining an elite bracket of Indian cricketers to have played 100 or more Tests, Ashwin can also break past his idol and legend Anil Kumble's humoungous feat in the traditional format. 

When he embraces the beautiful HPCA Stadium nestled amidst beautiful the Dhauladhar Hills, the 37-year-old stands the chance to become the bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket for India. 


Ashwin's Chance To Go Past Kumble's Fifer Count

With his game-transforming spell of 5/51 in the third-innings of the Ranchi Test against England, Ashwin managed to equalise Kumble's count of 35 five-wicket hauls. 

But if he repeats his feat in the fifth and final Test of the series, the world's premier off-spinner will enrich his 100th appearance in the format by climbing over his inspiration and becoming the top five-wicket holder for India. 

Notably, Kumble's tally of 35 fifers arrived in 132 Tests for India while his legacy successor has managed to reach there in only 99 Tests. 

Another point of parity between the two greats of Indian cricket is the count of 10 wickets for Tests. Both Ashwin and Kumble have had eight instances of 10 or more wickets taken in a Test, including the latter's epic haul of 10/74 in an innings against Pakistan in the Delhi Test of the 1999 series. 

For Ashwin, though, just the chance to pip his hero on the fifer count would be massive and fill the ace bowler with immense pride as he approaches a landmark Test match. 

The India and Tamil Nadu stalwart has taken 17 wickets in the first four Tests of the series and played a huge role in securing an unassailable 3-1 lead for his team.