This year, Ravichandran Ashwin has the most wickets in the longest format of cricket. He now holds the top spot in the highest wicket takers list, with 52 wickets at an average of 16.23. As if that wasn’t enough, the offie took 14 wickets in India’s recent Test series victory over New Zealand.
Following his team’s largest-ever victory against New Zealand, he was named the series player following a 372-run win in Mumbai. He won his eighth Player of the Series award for the record, more than any other Indian player. He was thrilled.
Ravichandran Ashwin has also topped Harbhajan Singh’s wicket count in the two-match Test series against New Zealand (417). The all-rounder has taken the third-most wickets by an Indian in Test cricket with 427 wickets. Only Kapil Dev (434) and Anil Kumble (619) have taken more wickets in the game’s longest format thus far.
Regarding the rivalry match, Ashwin is one wicket away from breaking Richard Hadlee’s record for most wickets taken.
In Kanpur, he had already overtaken Bishan Singh Bedi’s record of six wickets to become India’s all-time leading wicket-taker. In 14 Tests against India, Hadlee has taken 65 wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin is India’s most dependable match-winner: Mohammad Kaif
The 35-year-old has been a constant presence in India’s home games, but he hasn’t been as reliable in the tournaments abroad. During the whole England trip, he was on the bench. Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin’s accomplice in crime, was named in the XI ahead of him.
Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian cricketer, praised the spin-wizard on Twitter and even said that he should play in domestic and international matches regularly. “India’s trusted match-winner,” the 41-year-old said.
“Another Man of the Series for India’s trusted match-winner. High time Ashwin becomes a regular in Test playing XI. And I mean both home and away. Spinners need to be given confidence and Ashwin has done enough to deserve that faith,” Kaif tweeted on Monday.
Another Man of the Series for India’s trusted match winner. High time Ashwin becomes a regular in Test playing XI. And I mean both home and away. Spinners need to be given confidence and Ashwin has done enough to deserve that faith. @ashwinravi99
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 6, 2021
While the off-spinner hasn’t been terrible away from India, his home record is nothing short of remarkable. The Tamil Nadu player has got 300 wickets and 24 fifties at home, whereas 127 wickets and six fifties have been amassed outside of home conditions. It would be interesting to see whether he gets an opportunity to show off his talents on the next South Africa trip.
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