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In a historic feat on Friday, February 16, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name in cricketing glory by becoming the second Indian bowler and ninth overall to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket. The momentous achievement unfolded during the ongoing third Test in Rajkot against England, as Ashwin dismissed opener Zak Crawley for 15 on Day 2.
Ravichandran Ashwin: Second fastest to 500 Test wickets mark
Not only did Ashwin enter the elite 500-wicket club, but he also claimed the title of the second fastest bowler to achieve this milestone. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer accomplished this remarkable feat in his 98th Test, spanning 184 innings, positioning him just behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (87 matches) in terms of speed.
Also READ: Fastest to 500 Test wickets in terms of balls; Ravichandran Ashwin at No. 2
Transformation into a spin maestro
Ashwin’s cricketing journey is characterized by versatility, as he initially started his career as a medium pacer. In a revealing interview with the Indian Express, Ashwin’s father shed light on the cricketer’s transition from pace to spin bowling, emphasizing the crucial role played by Ashwin’s mother in this pivotal shift.
‘The biggest turning point in Ashwin’s career was when he switched to bowling off-spin. And I must thank my wife Chitra for that decision. Those days Ashwin had wheezing and he also had an issue with his knee. So to do all the running (as a medium pacer) was proving to be a challenge. It was Chitra who said, ‘Why should you run so much? Just take a few steps and bowl spin,” Ashwin’s father said.
Unforeseen withdrawal from the Rajkot Test
Despite the jubilation surrounding Ashwin’s historic achievement, a somber note emerged as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released an official statement on Friday night. The statement disclosed Ashwin’s withdrawal from the ongoing Rajkot Test due to a family emergency. Consequently, the 37-year-old spinner will not be participating further in the match, with Devdutt Padikkal stepping in as a substitute fielder.
