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Top 5 Bowling Performances Of Ravichandran Ashwin In Test Cricket

image-lrq7dlwlRavichandran Ashwin in Test Cricket (X.COM)

Ravichandran Ashwin, has indeed established himself as one of the premier off-spinners in Test cricket. His journey in international cricket began with his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2011. Since then, Ashwin has become a vital cog in the Indian cricket team, contributing significantly with his bowling skills and occasionally showcasing his prowess as a handy lower-order batsman.

Ashwin's success in Test cricket can be attributed to his ability to extract turn and bounce from different surfaces, along with his clever variations and a deep understanding of the art of spin bowling. His unique skill set has allowed him to adapt to various conditions, making him a valuable asset for the Indian team, both at home and abroad.

Ravichandran Ashwin's early years in Test cricket were indeed marked by a mix of exceptional performances and challenges, especially in adapting to foreign conditions. His memorable performance against New Zealand in 2012, with figures of 12/85 in Hyderabad, showcased his potential as a potent spin bowler on home soil. His 18-wicket haul in the series at an impressive average of 13.11 highlighted his growing stature in the game. 

Ashwin's performance against Australia in India in 2013 emerged as the best performance of Ashwin. He claimed 29 wickets at an average of 20.10. His outstanding performance included a career-best 7/103 in Chennai, underlining his ability to excel in favourable conditions.

Overall, in 95 Tests for India, Ashwin has scalped over 490 wickets at an average of 23.69, with an even better economy of 2.76.

Ashwin's resilience is evident in his comeback after facing challenges, including being in and out of the limited-overs formats. Despite such setbacks, he has maintained his focus on Test cricket and continued to hone his skills. His ability to read the game, adapt to different match situations, and provide breakthroughs when needed has made him a reliable asset for India in the longest format of the game.

At OneCricket, let's take a look at the top 5 best bowling performances of Ravichandran Ashwin in Test cricket.

1. 3/81 and 6/47 vs West Indies (2011)

image-lrqahlpaRavichandran Ashwin's debut Test series (X.COM)

Ravichandran Ashwin's debut Test series was against the West Indies in November 2011, and he did make an immediate impact with impressive performances. He took 9 wickets in his first test match so this has to be featured in this list. 

In the first innings, he bowled exceptionally well by taking 3 wickets and giving away 81 runs. His magic happened in the third innings of this test match where he tire through the West Indies batting order and picked up his first 5 wicket haul in his second innings and gave away just 47 runs. 

 2. 6/31 and 6/54 vs New Zealand (2012)

image-lrqajqsrRavichandran Ashwin vs New Zealand (X.COM)

This test match against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 2012 was a watershed moment in Ravichandran Ashwin's Test career. His exceptional performance not only showcased his talent but also played a pivotal role in India's comprehensive victory.

In the first innings, his hypnotic spell of 6 wickets for just 31 runs in 16.3 overs had a crippling effect on the New Zealand batting lineup. His accuracy, variations, and understanding of the conditions were instrumental in breaking down the opposition.

Even after the follow-on, Ashwin continued his dominance in the second innings, claiming another six wickets to finish with a total of 12 wickets in the match. This match-winning performance not only highlighted his skill as an off-spinner but also demonstrated his impact on the game.

3. 7-103 and 5-95 vs Australia (2013)

image-lrqaq7gqRavichandran Ashwin vs Australia (X.COM)

The Chennai Test of 2013 against Australia was indeed a defining moment in Ravichandran Ashwin's Test career. His exceptional performance in that match not only showcased his match-winning prowess but also played a crucial role in India's victory.

In the first innings, Ashwin's outstanding figures of 7-103 were instrumental in dismissing six top-order Australian batsmen. His ability to take wickets at crucial junctures and provide breakthroughs highlighted his impact as a match-winner. He continued to torment the Australian lineup in the second innings, securing yet another five-wicket haul.

4. 5/32 and 7/66 vs South Africa (2015)

image-lrqauj0oRavichandran Ashwin vs South Africa (X.COM)

In the first innings, after India posted a total of 215, Ashwin wreaked havoc on the South African batting lineup. His figures of 5 wickets for just 32 runs in 16.1 overs were instrumental in bundling out South Africa for a mere 79 runs. This outstanding performance showcased Ashwin's ability to exploit favourable conditions and dismantle the opposition.

In the fourth innings of the match, Ashwin continued his dominance, delivering one of his best-ever spells. With figures of 7 wickets for 66 runs in 29.5 overs, he proved to be unplayable and played a pivotal role in India's victory. His relentless accuracy, variations, and control over the ball made him a potent force, especially in the subcontinental conditions.

This match exemplified Ashwin's match-winning capabilities, and his ability to contribute significantly with both bat and ball made him a key player for India in Test cricket. 

5. 6/81 and 7/59 vs New Zealand (2016)image-lrqayim8

Ravichandran Ashwin vs New Zealand (X.COM)

The match was played at Indore in October 2016 between India and New Zealand. It was indeed a historic performance by Ravichandran Ashwin, showcasing his mastery as a spin bowler.

In that match, India posted a massive total of 557 in the first innings, and Ashwin played a crucial role with both bat and ball. However, it was in New Zealand's second innings that he delivered one of the best-ever bowling performances in Test cricket. Ashwin's remarkable figures of 7 wickets for 59 runs in just under 14 overs left the New Zealand batting lineup in tatters. His ability to exploit the conditions and consistently trouble the opposition batsmen was on full display.

With a combined match haul of 13 wickets (6 wickets in the first innings and 7 wickets in the second innings), Ashwin played a pivotal role in India's comprehensive victory by 324 runs.