On Saturday, Ravichandran Ashwin matched the late Shane Warne’s record for the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, achieving his 37th five-for during the fourth day of the first Test against Bangladesh at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Ashwin now trails only Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who holds the record with 67 five-wicket hauls.
Ashwin reached this milestone in just 191 innings. Earlier in the match, he played a crucial role in India’s first innings, scoring an impressive 113 runs, marking his sixth Test century. This performance brought him closer to the record for the most instances of scoring a century and taking a five-wicket haul in the same Test, a feat accomplished five times by former England all-rounder Ian Botham; Ashwin has achieved this remarkable double on four occasions.
A Bowling Masterclass to Seal Victory
In the second innings, Ashwin’s bowling was instrumental in India’s commanding 280-run victory. He finished with figures of 6 for 88, further solidifying his status as the standout performer of the match. This achievement not only equalled Warne’s record but also highlighted Ashwin’s importance to the Indian team.
Ashwin’s century was vital for India, especially as the top-order batsmen struggled early on, with the team managing to post over 350 runs in their first innings. The top order again faced challenges in the second innings; however, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill both contributed centuries, leading India to a total of 287/4 before captain Rohit Sharma declared the innings.
On Day 4, India needed only the first session to dismiss the remaining six Bangladesh batsmen, having already taken four wickets by the end of Day 3. With this victory, India has taken an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series. As Ashwin continues to break records, he stands as a testament to India’s prowess in Test cricket, showcasing both batting and bowling excellence in this match.
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