Ravichandran Ashwin, the number one Test bowler in the world, will spearhead India’s spin assault in the ensuing two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting Thursday (September 19). The opener is scheduled for Ashwin’s home turf, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai while the second red-ball match will take place at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur from September 27.
With a record as leading wicket taker during India’s last Test series this year against England, Ashwin remains a pivotal player for India’s chances. The iconic cricketer who turns 38 on Tuesday (September 17) has an opportunity to break more bowling records during these next two encounters.
Here’s the list of records that Ravi Ashwin will look to break:
Most wickets in WTC: For Team India, Ashwin has taken 174 wickets in 35 WTC matches. The veteran with 100 Tests under his belt needs just 14 more wickets from the next two games so as to break Nathan Lyon’s record of 187 and emerge the topmost wicket-taker in the history of WTC.
Most wickets in WTC 2023-25: Being the top Test bowler globally, Ashwin currently possesses 42 wickets hence, for him to surpass Australia’s Josh Hazlewood who has a total of 51; he will need to take 10 against Bangladesh during the ongoing 2023-25 WTC cycle.
Most five-wicket hauls in WTC: In the 34 WTC matches he has played till now, Ashwin has seized 10 five-wicket hauls. If he gets at least one more fifer in the two Tests, he will attain number one position on his own. As of now, he shares this spot with Lyon who also possesses 10 fifers.
Most wickets in India-Bangladesh Tests: To date, Ashwin has played against Bangladesh through six Tests for India and has disposed of 23 batsmen. He would need nine wickets to dethrone Zaheer Khan’s tally of 31 wickets and become the best-performing bowler in Test matches between India and Bangladesh.
Most wickets in India: In India, Ashwin has so far had a good career, taking 455 wickets in 126 international matches. If he finishes the Bangladesh series with 22 more wickets, he will take over Anil Kumble’s record of 476 international wickets on matches played in Indian soil.
Besides these, Ashwin whose total is 516 will surpass West Indies’ Courtney Walsh (519) and Australia’s Lyon (530) in the list of leading wicket-takers in Tests if he dismisses four and 15 batters respectively in the series. Two five-wicket hauls against Bangladesh will also make him go ahead of Shane Warne who holds the record for most fifers by any bowler with his 37 such spells in Tests whilst occupying number 2 spot behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan(67).
