Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest Indian bowler to take 250 Test wickets at home when he cleaned-up Mominul Haque on Day 1 of the 1st India vs Bangladesh Test match at Indore. Ashwin beat Anil Kumble to become the fastest Indian to reach the milestone taking only 42 Tests to get there. He is also the joint-fastest with Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan to complete 250 Test wickets at home and third Indian bowler to do so after Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. The 33-year-old off-spinner is also the 11th bowler overall in international cricket to achieve the feat of taking 250 or more wickets on home soil. India Vs Bangladesh, Live Cricket Score 1st Test Match.
Ashwin reached the millstone in the 38th over of the opening day when Mominul -- who had until then showed great resistance -- misjudged a straight delivery from Ashwin. Expecting the delivery to turn away from him, Mominul left the ball only to see it hitting the stumps after maintaining a straight line. The 33-year-old off-spinner could have added more to his tally but three dropped catches by captain Virat Kohli and deputy Ajinkya Rahane kept him to two wickets. IND vs BAN, 1st Test 2019: Bowlers Shine As India Bundle Bangladesh For 150 in the First Innings.
Ravi Overtakes Anil And Bhajji
250 Test wickets at home for @ashwinravi99. He becomes the third Indian bowler to do so after @anilkumble1074 & @harbhajan_singh. pic.twitter.com/x1Q6fTonsi
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 14, 2019
Kumble, however, leads the elite Indian list with 350 Test wickets, while Harbhajan Singh is second with 265 scalps. Muralitharan leads the overall list with 493 wickets at home. Kumble took one more Test then Ashwin to reach the milestone. Rangana Herath with 44 Test matches is ranked fourth fastest in the overall list, while Dale Steyn is fifth having taken 49 Test matches to get there. Ashwin has now equalled Muralitharan for the second time in one month. The Tamil Nadu bowler had earlier equalled Muralitharan’s record of becoming the joint-fastest bowler to compete 350 Test wickets.
The Moment Ashwin Hit Another Milestone
— Utkarsh Bhatla (@UtkarshBhatla) November 14, 2019
Ashwin is also fourth in the list of most wickets by an Indian bowler in Test cricket. Kumble leads the chart with 619 wickets followed by Kapil Dev (434) and Harbhajan (417) at second and third respectively. Ashwin is fourth with 358 scalps, while Zaheer Khan completes the top five-wicket-takers list with 311 wickets to his name.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 14, 2019 03:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).