Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has etched his name in the annals of cricket history, joining the prestigious club of Indian bowlers with 500 Test wickets to his credit. Achieving this remarkable milestone during the third Test against England in Rajkot, Ashwin follows in the footsteps of former captain Anil Kumble, cementing his legacy as one of the finest spin bowlers India has ever produced.
At 37 years old, Ashwin becomes only the third off-spinner in cricket history to achieve such a feat, joining the ranks of Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralidaran and Australia’s Nathan Lyon. His journey to 500 wickets has been one of perseverance and skill, culminating in a defining moment as he claimed Zak Crawley as his symbolic 500th victim.
WATCH: Ashwin takes 500th Test wicket
Born in Chennai, Ashwin’s cricketing career began with aspirations of being a top-order batsman and dabbling in medium pace bowling. However, a back injury during his formative years led him to embrace the role of an off-spinner, a decision that would shape his destiny on the cricket field.
Following the footsteps of legends like Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, Ashwin faced the daunting task of filling big shoes, a challenge he has met with unwavering consistency and determination.
Since his Test debut in 2011, Ashwin has been a stalwart in the Indian bowling lineup, amassing wickets with finesse and guile. His journey to 500 wickets has been marked by numerous milestones, including becoming the fastest to the 300 wickets club in just 16 Tests.
Beyond Test cricket, Ashwin has also proven his mettle in limited-overs formats, with notable contributions in ODIs and T20 Internationals.
As India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, Ashwin’s legacy as a spin maestro is secured. His journey from a budding cricketer in Chennai to a record-breaking off-spinner is a testament to his skill, dedication, and love for the game.
As he continues to grace the cricket field, Ashwin’s legacy will inspire future generations of spin bowlers to reach for greatness.