(In frame: Ravichandran Ashwin. Picture Credit - BCCI) Ind VS WI 1st Test: Ashwin Completed the mark of 700 Wickets in International Cricket during the first test that is being played between India and West Indies and became the only third Indian Spinner to achieve this mark in World Cricket.
During the first day of the opening Test match between India and West Indies at Windsor Park, Dominica, the 36-year-old veteran Indian Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a significant milestone of completing the 700th International Wickets. The spinner, who was not included in the playing XI against Australia in the WTC Final, made an impressive comeback by taking a five wickets haul against the West Indies on Wednesday.
He displayed his exceptional spinning skills. His brilliant bowling spell and ability to take crucial wickets at the right time never made the West Indies side make a comeback in the game and helped India to show its dominance on the first day.
Ashwin reached this remarkable milestone in International Cricket by dismissing Alzarri Joseph, securing the third wicket of the match. With that wicket, he joined the elite list of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh as the third Indian bowler to achieve this mark.
Indian bowlers with 700 international wickets –
953 – Anil Kumble
707 – Harbhajan Singh
701* – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin: The Spin Master
Ashwin, undoubtedly one of the greatest spinners India has ever produced especially in red-ball format, is sure-shot example of elegance with a brilliant mind. Ashwin consistently dismissed the West Indies batters and never made them look comfortable which helped India to dominate on the first day of the Test. He took the first wicket in the form of Tagenarine Chanderpaul which helped him to achieve another brilliant significant feat in his International cricket career. He became the first bowler to dismiss a father (Shivnarine Chanderpaul) – Son (Tagenarine Chanderpaul) duo in International cricket, he had previously dismissed Tagenarine’s father Shivnarine Chanderpaul during his debut Test back in New Delhi in 2011.
Once again, Ashwin delivered his brilliant bowling performance, making him the best for this feat. For any moment, Ashwin never allowed the West Indies batter to play comfortably against him, he consistently bowled on the perfect areas with his tactics, leaving them uncomfortable to play his deliveries.
At the beginning of the match, Ashwin exhibited his remarkable skill by dismissing both West Indies openers, causing them to face early difficulties.
Ashwin is not only a great spinner but also becomes a good batsman when the Team needs him the most, making him also a great all-rounder and trustworthy batsman in red-ball cricket. His dedication to his game has always helped him to outshine his competitors every time he performs. That is why he is currently the World’s Number 1 ranked Test bowler. His statistics and bowling figures are enough to define the greatness he has achieved in world cricket.
