R. Ashwin becomes the only Indian bowler to reach the milestone as he completes 500 Test wickets
The premier off-spinner of Indian cricket team Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday became only the second Indian and ninth overall to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. During the third Test against England in Rajkot, Ashwin accomplished the landmark, making him only the second Indian after the legendary Anil Kumble to take 500 Test wickets.
Ashwin needed only one wicket to reach 500 wickets before the start of the third Test, and the off-spinner completed the milestone in England's first innings when he dismissed Zak Crawley for 15. Zak Crawley fell to a top edge while attempting a sweep from the outside leg. Ashwin became just the second Indian player to achieve this remarkable feat as his teammates gathered around him to congratulate him.
HIGHEST WICKET-TAKERS IN TEST CRICKET
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka): 800 wickets
Shane Warne (Australia): 708 wickets
James Anderson (England): 695* wickets
Anil Kumble (India): 619 wickets
Stuart Broad (England): 604 wickets
Glenn McGrath (Australia): 563 wickets
Courtney Walsh (West Indies): 519 wickets
Nathan Lyon (Australia): 517* wickets
R. Ashwin (India): 500*
SECOND FASTEST TO 500 TEST WICKETS & FIRST INDIA
R. Ashwin also became only the second bowler after Sri Lankan great Muttaiah Muralidaran to take 500 wickets in less than 100 Tests. Ashwin has been the fastest Indian to reach 50, 100, 150, 200, 350, 400, and 450 Test wickets, and he is also the fastest in the world to reach 250 and 300 Test wickets.
