India off-spinner R Ashwin became only the second bowler from the country to take 500 wickets in Tests. He achieved the feat in the ongoing third Test against England in Rajkot on February 16, 2024. Only Anil Kumble with 619 Test wickets has more scalps than Ashwin.
Ashwin needed one wicket to achieve 500 before the start of the third Test, and he did so in England's first innings, dismissing Zak Crawley for 15 runs. Zak Crawley was attempting a sweep from the outside leg when he slid to the top edge. Rajat Patidar took a simple catch at square leg running backwards.
Ashwin's 500th wicket came at a good time for India, as England's openers reacted to India's 445 in the first innings with an 89-run stand in only 13 overs.
Ashwin became the second-fastest bowler to the landmark, both in terms of matches and balls bowled. Overall, Ashwin has taken 25715 balls, next only to the legendary Glenn McGrath who required 25528. Ashwin reached the milestone in his 98th Test, with Muttiah Muralitharan being the fastest to the landmark in his 87th Test.
The Indian cricket fraternity was all praises for R Ashwin as he finally achieved the 500 Test wickets milestone.
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