Ravichandran Ashwin surpasses Kumble, becomes highest wicket-taker in India (Tests)
Ravichandran Ashwin continues to script records as he has become the highest wicket-taker in Tests in India. He went past Anil Kumble's tally of 350 Test scalps at home. The off-spinner accomplished the milestone with his third scalp against England in the fourth Test in Ranchi. Besides this landmark, Ashwin also completed 400 Test wickets in Asia and 100 scalps against England.
A remarkable fifer for Ashwin
While Ashwin could only manage one wicket in England's first innings, he was at his best in the third innings. He dismissed opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope off successive deliveries in the fifth over. The talismanic Joe Root became his third victim. Ashwin dismissed Ben Foakes and James Anderson in one over to finish with 5/51 in 15.5 overs.
Ashwin goes past Kumble
While Kumble finished with 350 Test scalps at home, Ashwin has now gone past him (354 wickets). Overall, Ashwin became only the fifth bowler to complete 350 Test wickets at home. Playing his 59th home Test, Ashwin averages 21.33 (27 fifers). Muttiah Muralitharan (493), James Anderson (434), and Stuart Broad (398) are the others with 350 or more Test scalps at home.
Second-most Test fifers at home
Ashwin's tally of 27 fifers at home is only second to Muralitharan (45). His average of 21.33 is the second-best among bowlers with at least 250 wickets at home. He trails Muralitharan (19.56) in this regard as well.
100 Test wickets against England
With his first strike in the contest, Ashwin became the first Indian to complete a century of Test wickets against England. He now owns 105 wickets against them in 23 Tests, averaging 28.88 (5W: 7). Ashwin became the second bowler after Anderson (147) to accomplish 100 wickets in India-England Tests. Australia is the only other team against which Ashwin owns 100-plus scalps (114).
Third bowler to get this feat
Ashwin's 350th wicket at home also saw him complete 400 (now 404) Test scalps in Asia. He became the third bowler to reach this milestone after Muralitharan (612) and Kumble (419). Playing his 68th Test in Asia, Ashwin averages 21.56. 31 of his 35 Test fifers have come in Asia. His remaining four five-wicket hauls have been recorded in West Indies.
Joint-most Test fifers for an Indian
The preceding game saw Ashwin become the second-fastest bowler to complete 500 Test scalps. Playing his 99th match, the 37-year-old has now raced to 507 wickets at 23.91. Having claimed his 35th Test fifer, Ashwin has equaled Kumble in terms of the most Test fifers by an Indian. The latter also happens to be the only Indian with more Test scalps than Ashwin (619).
How has the match proceeded?
Joe Root (122*) helped England post 353 while batting first. Ollie Robinson scored a handy 58. Ravindra Jadeja dismissed four batters. While Yashasvi Jaiswal (73) starred at the top for India, Dhurv Jurel scored an excellent 90 as India managed 307. Shoaib Bashir claimed a fifer. Ashwin's fifer meant England managed 145 in their second outing. India need 192 to win.
