Ravichandran Ashwin (right) has achieved the milestone of equalling 23 five wickets haul, earlier held by Kapil Dev.[/caption]Internet Desk: Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday emulated one of India’s greatest all-rounder Kapil Dev’s feat of 23 five wicket haul in test matches. The off-spinner reached the milestone by getting the wicket of Ben Stokes on Day 2 of the fourth test match at Wankhede.
Ashwin is now behind Anil Kumble (35 in 132 Tests) and Harbhajan Singh (25 in 103) in terms of five-wicket-hauls by an Indian bowler.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer had earlier matched Haryana Hurricane’s record of 500 plus test runs and 50 plus test wickets in a year last November during the Mohali test match. Kapil did it twice in 1979 (619 runs, 74 wickets) and 1983 (579 runs, 75 wickets).
Ashwin now has scored 536 runs at an average of 48.18 along with his 56 wickets at 22.60.
Overall only 7 players have achieved this distinction. England's Ian Botham (twice), South Africa's Shaun Pollock (twice), Mitchell Johnson (Australia), Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), Andrew Flintoff (England) are the other five.
On Thursday, the off-spinner surpassed former India pacer Javagal Srinath (236) to become seventh highest wicket-taker for India in Tests. He is the first Indian bowler to complete a record seventh consecutive five-wicket haul in a calendar year.
He is also the highest wicket taker (47) for India in a calendar year in test matches. This incidentally happens to be the best performance by an Indian spinner at home. Former India off spinner Erapalli Prasanna had claimed 46 wickets in 1969.
Ashwin, who is the world No.1 Test bowler and the No.1 all-rounder, has been in terrific form this year. In 11 matches, he has picked 64 wickets, including seven five-wicket hauls.
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