Ravichandran Ashwin Takes 22nd Five-Wicket Haul, Joins Legends Like Walsh, Ambrose, Waqar
Ravi Ashwin took his 22nd five wicket haul, up there with legends like Waqar, Ambrose and Walsh.
Ravichandran Ashwin continued his glorious run with the ball and took yet another five-wicket haul (5/67) to put India in complete control of thhe Vizag Test against England.
Reuters
Ashwin, who had taken two wickets on Day 2, added three more on the third day as India secured a 200-run first-innings lead over the visitors. Ashwin got rid of the well set Ben Stokes for 70 after which the wickets of Stuart Broad and James Anderson off successive balls hastened England's fall for 255. Ashwin is technically on a hat-trick when he starts off bowling in the second innings.
Overall it is Ashwin's 22nd five-wicket haul in Test matches which makes him equal with legends like Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshal and Waqar Younis, all of whom ended their careers with 22 Test five-wicket hauls.
Reuters
Among Indians, Ashwin is fourth in the list. Only Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh have more five-wicket hauls than Ashwin.
Add to his feat a fifty with the bat in the first innings, Ashwin for the fourth time secured a half-century and a five-wicket haul in the same Test. Former India captain Kapil Dev is the only other Indian to achieve this feat four times in a single Test. Swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar achieved the feat two times, during India's tour of England in 2014.
AP
Interestingly, this was Ashwin's first five-wicket haul against England. After the day's play, Ashwin explained how he worked out dismissing English batsmen.
"Hadn't had a five-wicket haul against England, but it was not at the top of my mind. I knew I would get it if I stuck to what I do right. The challenges are actually a hassle for the batsmen. Not every ball spins. I was in the middle of very good rhythm. I told Virat I will get Root out caught out at short midwicket. Virat said let's get mid-on up and make him go for a slog sweep. I thought the moment he steps out I was going to go wider. That worked. The last wicket was slow so I changed my action to create more air space. It is not about trials, it is about having the heart to try it in the middle of the game. I am sure I have it," he said.
