Mumbai: Ravichandran Ashwin’s 19th five-wicket haul led India to a historic victory over New Zealand by 197 runs at the historic 500th Test at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium. By dint of this win,India registered their seventh win at the very venue.
Ashwin claimed 10 wickets (4 in the first innings and 6 in the second innings) as he spun the game away from the visitors. He claimed the first three Kiwi wickets on the penultimate day of the test, returning to haunt the Kiwi batsmen on the final day of the test.
Although the first breakthrough of the day was given by the man of the match, Ravindra Jadeja. (Luke Ronchi on 80 runs). Mohammed Shami got two wickets in two balls furthening India’s grip on the match.
From there on it is Ashwin show. Ashwin, first ending Mitchell Santner’s long stand at the crease (71). Then plucking Ish Sodhi’s leg stump claiming his 19th 5 wicket haul. He delivered the final blow by cleaning up Neil Wagner catching him plumb in front of his wicket ensuring India victory.
Ravichandran Ashwin, opened up the Kiwi batting attack by claiming the first three wickets and ending their resistance by finishing up the last three wickets.
Ashwin joins the Elite Club
On Sunday, Ashwin joined the elite 200 wicket club when he dismissed the NZ captain Kane Williamson on the penultimate day of the Test. He is the fastest Indian and second overall to take 200 wickets in Test cricket. He is only the ninth Indian to achieve this feat.
Ashwin achieved this milestone only in 37 matches. The second best is Harbhajan Singh, who reached this milestone in 46 matches. Indian coach Leg spinner Anil Kumble is the third fastest taking 47 matches while another legendary leggie BS Chandrashekhar (48) is fourth in the list. Kumble, though, is the leading wicket taker for India with 619 wickets to his name. India’s legendary captain and all-rounder, Kapil Dev, is fifth on this list, who took 50 matches to achieve this feat for India but is the fastest non-spinner to reach this feat.
Aussie spinner Clarrie Grimmett is the fastest bowler overall to take 200 wickets. Another Aussie Dennis Lillee along with Pakistani pacer Waqar Younis share the third position of the fastest to having reached the landmark in 38 Tests.