Ravichandran Ashwin has made headlines by equaling the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan’s record for the most Player of the Series awards in Test cricket. This significant achievement was celebrated after Ashwin was named Player of the Series in India’s recent 2-0 series victory against Bangladesh, held in Kanpur.
His performance throughout the series was exceptional, showcasing his all-round capabilities that have solidified his position as a cornerstone of the Indian cricket team.
Stellar Performance Against Bangladesh
During the two-match Test series, Ashwin’s contributions were pivotal. He scored a total of 114 runs and took 11 wickets, demonstrating his ability to impact the game in multiple facets. In the first Test at Chennai, he played a crucial innings, scoring 113 runs and securing six wickets in Bangladesh’s second innings. This performance was instrumental in helping India recover from a precarious position and set a commanding total.
In the second Test at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, Ashwin continued his dominance with two wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings and three more in their second innings. His efforts helped India secure a seven-wicket victory on Day 5, completing a clean sweep of the series.
Fastest to Reach the Milestone
With this latest accolade, Ashwin has now won the Player of the Series award 11 times in his career. Notably, he has achieved this feat at a quicker rate than Muralitharan. While Muralitharan reached his 11 awards over 133 Tests across 61 series, Ashwin accomplished this in just 102 matches and 42 series. This statistic underscores Ashwin’s remarkable consistency and impact on the game.
Ashwin’s achievement places him alongside Muralitharan as one of cricket’s all-time greats. Following them are legends like Jacques Kallis, Imran Khan, Richard Hadlee, and Shane Warne, each with eight Player of the Series awards. This elite company highlights Ashwin’s significant contributions to cricket and his ability to perform under pressure.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
