5 records Ravichandran Ashwin can break
Sep 26, 2016 at 2:06 PM
After playing only 37 matches, Ravichandran Ashwin has been earmarked for great things in Test cricket. The off-spinner recently became the second fastest bowler to take 200 Test wickets when he dismissed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson in the second innings of the first Test at Kanpur. Ashwin is only behind former Australia legspinner Clarrie Grimmett who reached the milestone in 36 Tests.
The Tamil Nadu bowler is easily dismantling the opposition batsmen in subcontinental conditions. With India scheduled to play 7 more Tests in the coming months, we are taking a look at five records that the Indian spinner can break:
5. Indian bowler with most wickets in a calendar year:
The record for most dismissals in a calendar year by an Indian bowler is currently held by the legendary Kapil Dev. The first Indian bowler to surpass the 400-wickets mark in Test cricket, Kapil Dev took 75 wickets in 18 Tests in 1983.
Meanwhile, after taking 17 wickets on the West Indies tour, Ashwin finished the first Test by taking 10 wickets. With India still to play 7 Tests in favourable conditions, the bowler has the ability to take the remaining 50 wickets to surpass his illustrious predecessor. Last year he took 62 wickets in only 9 matches and the form he is in right now he can easily break Kapil Dev’s record.
The all-time record for most Test dismissals in a calendar year is held by former Australian spinner Shane Warne who took an astonishing 96 wickets in only 15 matches in 2005.
4. Most Test five-wicket hauls in a calendar year:
The record of most five-wicket hauls is currently held by Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan and West Indies’ Malcolm Marshall who both took 9 five-wicket hauls in 2006 and 1984 respectively. And Ashwin already has four five-wicket hauls after the conclusion of the first Test against New Zealand.
With still 7 matches to be played before the end of 2016, one can pin their hopes on the star off-spinner. Last year he came agonisingly close to breaking that record when he fell short by just two five-wicket hauls after taking an impressive seven in only nine Tests.
3. Most wickets in a Test series by an Indian bowler:
This record is looking the most likely to be broken by Ashwin sooner than later. The record of most dismissals by an Indian bowler in Test series is currently held by Bhagwath Chandrasekhar who took 35 wickets against England in 1972-73. With England
With England scheduled to play five Test against the Indian team this year, Ashwin has a golden opportunity to add one more feather to his hat. Last year, he fell short by only four wickets to break this record when he took 31 wickets against South Africa in 4-match Test series.
The all-time record is held by England bowler Sydney Barnes who took 49 wickets in 4 Tests against South Africa in 1913-14.
2. Fastest to 250 Test wickets:
While he failed to become the quickest bowler to take 200 Test wickets by just one match, he has the chance to break the record of quickest to 250 Test wickets.
The record is currently held by Australian great Dennis Lillee who took 300 wickets in 48 matches. Ashwin has taken 203 wickets in 37 matches so far. With the next eight Tests to be played in India, he can definitely fancy his chances of breaking Lillee’s record.
1.Fastest to 300 Test wickets:
The star off-spinner needs 97 wickets in his next 18 Tests to become the quickest bowler to take 300 wickets in Test cricket. While the record is quite tough to achieve, one can expect Ashwin to break it after his recent performances with the ball.
The record is held by Dennis Lillee who achieved the milestone in 56 Tests.