Ravichandran Ashwin overtook former Sri Lankan legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to script a unique record after taking the last wicket of Josh Hazlewood on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test which was won by India by 8 wickets.
Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin became the bowler to dismiss most left-handers in Test cricket when he dismissed last man Josh Hazlewood for 10 to help India bowl out Australia for 200 in their second innings. Notably, Josh Hazlewood was the 192nd left-hander to be dismissed by India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin which is the most by any bowler in the history of Test cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin Surpasses Muttiah Muralitharan To Dismiss Most Left-Handers In Tests
Earlier, Muttiah Muralitharan held the unique record of dismissing most left-handers in Test history as he had claimed the wicket of 191 southpaws in his legendary career as he is leading wicket-taker in Tests with 800 wickets.
England pacer James Anderson (186) is 3rd on the list of dismissing most left-handers followed by Australian legends pacer Glenn McGrath (172) and spinner Shane Warne (172). Former India captain spinner Anil Kumble is fifth on the list with 167 southpaw dismissals.
After Australia resumed on their overnight score of 133 for six, pacer Jasprit Bumrah dismissed tailender Pat Cummins for 22, breaking a 57-run partnership with all-rounder Cameron Green. Debutant pacer Mohammed Siraj then dismissed Cameron Green for 45 and had Nathan Lyon (3) caught behind when the Australian spinner bottom-edged a pull to the keeper. Ravichandran Ashwin wrapped up the innings by having Josh Hazlewood bowled for 10.
In the absence of Umesh Yadav who limped off the field picking 1 wicket in 3.3 overs, Indian bowlers bowled reasonably well as Mohammed Siraj picked 3 scalps while the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin picked 2 wickets each.
India Win By 8 Wickets To Level Series 1-1
Australia lost their last 4 wickets in the extended first-morning session in 4th day on Tuesday, managing to add just 67 runs resuming on their overnight score of 133 for 6 as Australia set India a paltry target of 70 runs to win the Test and level the four-match series which they accomplished losing 2 wickets.
Mohammed Siraj finished as the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 37 while Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja got a couple of wickets each and Umesh Yadav, who bowled just 3.3 overs in this innings before going off the field with a calf injury, got 1 wicket.
India now levelled the series 1-1 after winning the 2nd Test at Melbourne thereby avenging the Adelaide debacle where they registered their lowest Test score of 36 to give Australia an easy win squandering the advantage of first innings lead.