During the first Test against the West Indies in Dominica, India’s R Ashwin once again showed why he is widely regarded as one of the best spinners in the world.
Ashwin ran through the Caribbean batting line-up in both innings, returning with 12 wickets to script India’s thumping victory by an innings and 141 runs.
While the ace-spinner claimed a five-wicket haul (5-60) in West Indies’ first innings, he picked up seven scalps (7-71) in the second essay.
With his stunning exploits in Dominica, Ashwin equalled legendary Anil Kumble's Indian record for the most number of 10-wicket hauls in Test cricket. While Muttiah Muralitharan heads the chart with 22 10-wicket hauls to his name, Ashwin is fifth on the elite list with eight 10-wicket hauls, only behind Shane Warne (10), Richard Hadlee (9), and Rangana Herath (9).
During the Test match, Ashwin also took his international wicket tally to 709, surpassing Harbhajan Singh by two scalps. Anil Kumble leads the Indian list with 953 international wickets to his name.
Speaking to the host broadcasters after India's win, Ashwin narrated how the likes of Kumble and Harbhajan inspired him to take up spin-bowling.
"I am genuinely humbled because, at one stage in my life, I never thought I would be a spinner. I was batter, I turned into a spinner and then to even imagine… Harbhajan Singh was a hero for me, I was watching the 2001 series, looking at Harbhajan, and I used to mimic him and from there on, I was also a big fan of Anil Kumble, marveled at how he won Test matches for India on Day 4 and Day 5," Ashwin said.
"I never ever imagined myself to be a spinner. To find myself in this list from there on, even to say I belong in a list with Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh is an extremely gratifying day for me. I feel like I am gifted, I been given a lot of gifts on the way as a cricketer and I want to enjoy every single moment that lies ahead of me," he added.
With this victory, India took an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The second Test is due to get underway on July 20 at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain.
