World No. 1 test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin reached a major milestone on Thursday (September 19), becoming the second cricketer to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC). The 38 years old Chennai-based all-rounder achieved this feat during India’s first innings in the ongoing first test against Bangladesh at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Batting at No. 8, Ashwin crossed the 52-run mark, cementing his place in the exclusive 1000-run club in the WTC.
Ashwin who already boasts 174 wickets in the WTC joins fellow Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in this rare achievement. Jadeja was the first to reach the milestone earlier this year during the fourth test between India and England in Ranchi. A total of 11 bowlers have taken more than 100 wickets in the WTC history but only Ashwin and Jadeja have also scored 1000 runs.
Records in Sight for Ashwin:
In the ongoing series against Bangladesh, Ashwin has the opportunity to break several significant records:
1. Nathan Lyon’s Record:
Ashwin is 14 wickets away from surpassing the Australian spinner Nathan Lyon’s tally of 187 wickets to become the all-time leading wicket-taker in the WTC history.
2. Five-Wicket Haul Milestone:
If Ashwin takes at least one more five-wicket haul during the series, he will become the first player to claim five or more wickets in an inning 11 times in the WTC history.
3. Courtney Walsh’s Record:
Ashwin has 516 wickets in test cricket and needs four more to surpass former West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh (519 wickets) on the all-time list.
4. Climbing the All-Time Wicket-Takers List:
With 15 wickets in the series, Ashwin can overtake Lyon’s 530 wickets and become the seventh highest wicket-taker in the test cricket history.
5. 2023-25 WTC Cycle:
Ashwin needs just 10 wickets to go past Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (51 wickets) and become the leading wicket-taker in the current WTC cycle.
6. Most Successful Bowler Against Bangladesh:
With nine wickets in the series, Ashwin can break Zaheer Khan’s record of 31 wickets and become the most successful bowler in test matches between India and Bangladesh.
Ashwin’s remarkable consistency and all-round abilities continue to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of test cricket.