Premier Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin today became the fastest bowler in the history of Test cricket to bag 300 Test wickets. Ashwin achieved the feat in 54 Tests and broke the long-standing record of former Australian speedster Dennis Lillee. On the 4th day of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka, Ashwin bagged the last wicket of Lahiru Gamage to reach the feat. However, the least number of innings taken by a bowler to reach 300 Test wickets lies with the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan.
On his birthday around a couple of months ago, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag had wished him and also hoped that he becomes the fastest to 300 Test wickets. “Happy Birthday dear @ashwinravi99 .May you keep striking at quick intervals & soon become the fastest to 300 test wkts. #LilleeAbDoorNahi,” Sehwag had written on 16th September. Eventually, his prediction did come true and the Indian spin ace thanked Sehwag for the same.
Thank you so much viru pa!! Your prediction dint go wrong.?
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) November 27, 2017
Taking to his twitter handle, Ashwin wrote, “Thank you so much viru pa!! Your prediction dint go wrong.” Sehwag too was quick to respond to Ashwin and wrote “Congratulations @ashwinravi99, Doori badi jaldi tay Kar li. Wish you the very best always”. Meanwhile, it was the brilliant performance by Ravichandran Ashwin who bagged four wickets each in the 2nd Test which helped India seal the deal with more than a day to spare.
Congratulations @ashwinravi99 , Doori badi jaldi tay Kar li. Wish you the very best always. https://t.co/HkOKymEIGc
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 27, 2017
Their victory by an innings and 239 runs is the joint biggest victory for India as far as Test cricket is concerned. Comeback man Ishant Sharma was also at his best and bagged five wickets in the match. Four batsmen scored centuries including Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma. Kohli converted his 19th century into his 5th double century.
It was a great bowling performance by the hosts even in the 2nd innings which never allowed visitors to force their way back into the match. They kept losing at regular intervals and eventually surrendered the match in the 2nd session of the 4th day.