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Best Bowling Figures By Ravichandran Ashwin In Tests

Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket [Source: @GautamGambhir/x.com]Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket [Source: @GautamGambhir/x.com]

Ravichandran Ashwin! The name itself gives chills to batters around the world, especially in Test cricket. The legendary spinner, who could spin a ball on glass, decided to call time on his international career.

After a stunning 14-year career, Ashwin has called it a day and what a journey it’s been. From breaking stumps to shattering records, the Indian veteran has been nothing short of a magician with the ball.

Here’s a look at Ravichandran Ashwin's top 3 best figures in Test cricket.

3. 12/98 vs South Africa in Nagpur, 2015

Ravichandran Ashwin 12/98 vs South Africa [Source: @IPLnCricket/x.com]Ravichandran Ashwin 12/98 vs South Africa [Source: @IPLnCricket/x.com]

South Africa came to India hoping for a fight, but Ashwin had other plans. The pitch was a spinner’s dream, and Ashwin turned it into his playground. In response to India’s 215 in the first innings, South Africa were bowled out for a measly 79. Ashwin picked up 5/32, and it looked like he was bowling on a completely different surface. The Proteas had no answers, just blank stares.

The second innings wasn’t much better for them. Chasing 310, they folded for 185. Ashwin picked up 7/66, making it a match haul of 12 wickets. It was vintage Ashwin. Flight, drift, turn—he had it all going. The batters were fishing outside off, misjudging lengths, and completely lost. The Proteas were sent packing, and Ashwin was the architect of their downfall as India won the match by 124 runs.

2. 12/85 vs New Zealand in Hyderabad, 2012

Ravichandran Ashwin 12/85 vs New Zealand [Source: @DelhiCapitals/x.com]Ravichandran Ashwin 12/85 vs New Zealand [Source: @DelhiCapitals/x.com]

Let’s rewind to 2012. Ravichandran Ashwin was still new to Test cricket, but he didn’t bowl like a newbie. In Hyderabad, against New Zealand, he showed the world what he was made of. After India posted 438, the Kiwis came out to bat, and Ashwin sent them back quicker than they’d arrived. In the first innings, he picked up 6/31 as New Zealand folded for 159. He was unplayable. The batters had no idea which way the ball was turning.

If that wasn’t enough, India enforced the follow-on and Ashwin came back in the second innings and did it all over again. Another 6-for, this time 6/54 as the Blackcaps were bundled out for a paltry 165. That’s 12 wickets in the match. India won by an innings and 115 runs, and Ashwin was rightly named Player of the Match. It was the start of something special, a career that would redefine Indian spin bowling.

1. 13/140 vs New Zealand in Indore, 2016

Ravichandran Ashwin 13/140 vs New Zealand [Source: @randomcricstat/x.com]Ravichandran Ashwin 13/140 vs New Zealand [Source: @randomcricstat/x.com]

New Zealand came, saw, and got absolutely wrecked by Ashwin. It was the third Test of the series, and India had already put the Kiwis under the pump by posting a solid 557/5d. Ashwin decided it was time to put the hammer down. In the first innings, he ripped through their middle order, finishing with figures of 6/81 as the Kiwis were dismissed for 299. He didn’t just bowl; he made the ball talk.

India then declared at 216/3. The Kiwis were chasing a near-impossible 475 in the second innings, and Ashwin wasn’t going to let them breathe. He spun a web so tight that the batters were just guessing. One by one, they fell. Ashwin ended with 7/59, wrapping up the game in style. That’s 13 wickets in a match. 13! And just to flex, he also walked away with the Player of the Series award for his 27 wickets in the series.