IND vs SL: Decoding R Ashwin's records in Test cricket
Premier Indian spinner R Ashwin was in top form in the recently concluded first Test versus Sri Lanka in Mohali. Ashwin showed his credentials with a knock of 61, besides taking six wickets as well. He surpassed Kapil Dev's tally of 434 wickets to become India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Here we decode Ashwin's records in Tests.
Ashwin overtakes Kapil Dev (Test wickets)
By dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva in the first innings, Ashwin surpassed the legendary Richard Hadlee (431) in terms of Test wickets. A day later, Ashwin eclipsed former Indian captain Kapil Dev (434) on the tally. Ashwin is now India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket (436). He is only behind legend Anil Kumble among Indians (619). Overall, Ashwin has the ninth-most wickets in the format.
Why does this story matter?
Ashwin has been a champion performer for India in Tests of late. His consistency with the ball is something India have benefited immensely from. Ash has been a solid customer picking up the desired amount of wickets. He is a sheer match-winner and his numbers are commendable. He chipped in once again versus the Lankans, helping India gain a crucial 1-0 lead.
A look at the highest wicket-takers in Tests
Muttiah Muralitharan has bagged the highest number of Test wickets in history. He claimed 800 Test scalps at 22.72. The late Shane Warne is second on the list with 708 scalps. England pacer James Anderson is third with 640 scalps. The likes of Kumble (619), Glenn McGrath (563), Stuart Broad (537), Courtney Walsh (519), Dale Steyn (439), Ashwin (436), and Kapil (434) follow suit.
Breaking down Ashwin's performance in Tests
In 50 Tests at home, Ashwin has claimed 306 scalps at an average of 21.30. He has achieved the most success versus England on home soil (74 scalps). In 34 away Tests, he has 126 scalps at 31.88. He has the most away wickets versus Australia (39). At neutral venues, he has played one Test, having claimed four scalps.
Third-highest wicket-taker in IND vs SL Tests
In 10 Test matches versus Sri Lanka, Ash has taken a total of 56 scalps at 22.76. He has claimed 18 wickets at home versus Lanka at 25.27. He also has 38 wickets away at 21.57. He has taken three five-wicket hauls versus Sri Lanka. He is the third-highest wicket-taker in India versus Sri Lanka Test matches after Muralitharan (105) and Kumble (74).
Seventh-highest number of five-wicket hauls
Ashwin has claimed the seventh-highest number of five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. He has taken 30 five-wicket hauls to date. Ash is only behind the likes of Muralitharan (67), Warne (37), Hadlee (36), Kumble (35), Herath (34), and Anderson (31).
