NEW DELHI: Leading off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name in cricketing lore as he equalled Muttiah Muralitharan's record for the most wickets in a player's 100th Test match.
Ashwin's stellar performance saw him claim nine wickets in the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala, achieving the milestone with the dismissal of Ben Foakes on Day 3.
Ashwin's remarkable outing commenced in the first innings of the Test, where he displayed his bowling prowess by capturing four crucial wickets, restricting England to a modest total of 218.
Despite facing disappointment with the bat, Ashwin quickly shifted gears with the ball as India took the field on the third day.
Making an immediate impact, Ashwin struck in his very first over, dismissing Ben Duckett for just two runs with a sublime delivery that shattered the stumps. He continued his dominance by claiming the wicket of Zak Crawley shortly after.
In a display of skill and guile, Ashwin outsmarted Ollie Pope with a cleverly bowled short delivery, catching the batsman off guard as he attempted a sweep shot.
A pivotal moment arrived just before lunch when Ashwin removed English captain Ben Stokes, delivering a deceptive slider that breached Stokes' defenses and crashed into the stumps.
With this feat, Ashwin surpassed Indian legends Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev, who were tied for the most wickets by an Indian in their 100th Test.
Minutes into the second session, Ashwin achieved his 36th five-wicket haul by dismissing Ben Foakes, further cementing his place in cricketing history.
Ashwin's milestone also marked him as the second Indian player to claim a fifer in their 100th Test, following in the footsteps of Anil Kumble.
Interestingly, Ashwin surpassed Kumble for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian in Test history, showcasing his unparalleled impact in the longest format of the game.
With his exceptional performance, Ashwin not only etched his name alongside legends but also reaffirmed his status as one of India's premier spin bowlers of all time.
