World Test Championship: Ravichandran Ashwin scripts this record
Ravichandran Ashwin, India's ace spinner and the world's top-ranked Test bowler, has added another feather to his cap. He has become the first-ever bowler to grab at least 50 wickets in each of the three ICC World Test Championship (WTC) editions. Ashwin attained this feat in the ongoing 2nd Test against Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur. He dismissed all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to claim his 50th wicket in this WTC cycle.
Ashwin's impressive track record in WTC
Ashwin has been killing it in the WTC, grabbing 71 wickets in 14 matches during the 2019-21 cycle and then picking up another 61 wickets from 13 matches in the next edition (2021-23). And now, in the ongoing 2023-25 cycle, he has already taken 50 wickets in just 10 matches. With all this action, he is now the second-highest wicket-taker in WTC history, boasting a total of 182 dismissals across all editions.
Ashwin eyes top spot in WTC wicket-taking tally
Ashwin is just six wickets away from overtaking Australia's Nathan Lyon, who has 187 dismissals in the WTC. If Ashwin gets two more wickets in the ongoing match, he will also surpass Josh Hazlewood as the leading wicket-taker for this WTC cycle. Hazlewood has bagged 51 wickets from 11 matches so far.
Ashwin equals Zaheer Khan's record in India-Bangladesh Tests
Apart from his WTC achievements, Ashwin has also equaled former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan's record for the most wickets in India-Bangladesh Tests. Both have taken 31 wickets, with Zaheer doing it over seven matches and Ashwin reaching the mark in his eighth Test. This accomplishment further cements Ashwin's status as a leading figure in Indian cricket.
