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Ravichandran Ashwin Achieves Historic First In Test Cricket; Leaves Behind Botham, Kapil Dev And Kallis

Ravichandran Ashwin after his Hundred on Day 1 of 1st Test [X]Ravichandran Ashwin after his Hundred on Day 1 of 1st Test [X]

Ravichandran Ashwin brought up a brilliant hundred against Bangladesh on Day 1 of the first Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It was the sixth Test hundred for the veteran Indian all-rounder.

The knock came from Ashwin amidst a crisis that India were suffering after losing their top order quickly. Hasan Mahmud accounted for the top three batters early after Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first. The woes of the Indian batting line-up continued into the second session of the day, and at one stage, India were looking down the barrel at 144/6.

Ashwin and Jadeja: A game-changing partnership

From this stage, Ravichandran Ashwin staged a dramatic comeback for the home team with his fellow all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin and Jadeja stitched an unbeaten 195-run partnership and brought the home team back into the game. At the end of play on Day One, Ashwin remained unbeaten at 102 while Jadeja was at 86.

A Historic First in Test Cricket

While scoring this resilient century, Ashwin brought up a historic first in Test cricket. The Indian all-rounder became the first player to have over 20 fifty-plus scores and more than 30 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

Ashwin's Place Among Cricketing Greats

The game of cricket has been graced by some great all-rounders, like Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Jacques Kallis, and many more. But none of these cricketing greats ever achieved this feat, which signifies the effectiveness and impact of Ravi Ashwin in Indian cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s career

Ashwin has 516 Test wickets in his career with 36 five-wicket hauls, the third joint-highest in the game's history. The Indian off-spinner is just one five-wicket haul away from equalling Shane Warne (37). The leader of this list is Muttiah Muralitharan, with 67 five-wicket hauls.

Uniqueness of the Feat

Coming back to Ashwin’s unique feat, Sir Richard Hadlee, with 17 fifty-plus scores in Test cricket, is closest to him among the players with more than 30 five-wicket hauls. The next name is Shane Warne, who had 12 fifty-plus scores under his belt.

Among the players with over 20 fifty-plus scores in Test cricket, the closest to Ashwin is Sir Ian Botham, with 27 five-wicket hauls. Third place is held jointly by Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, who had 23 five-wicket hauls each.

Ravichandran Ashwin's Legacy in Indian Cricket

Ashwin's achievement signifies that he is probably the greatest Indian all-rounder to have played the game, especially in the red-ball format. Indian cricket fans will hope he continues to impact the game for India with both his trades for many years.