In a stunning display of bowling prowess, Ravichandran Ashwin has etched his name into cricket history by surpassing Australian spinner Nathan Lyon to become the bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in the World Test Championship (WTC). Ashwin achieved this milestone during the ongoing first Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where he claimed his 11th five-wicket haul, leaving Lyon’s tally of 10 behind.
Ashwin’s Record-Breaking Performance
Ashwin’s journey to this record has been nothing short of remarkable. In just 36 WTC matches, he has managed to achieve this feat, showcasing his exceptional skill and adaptability on various pitches. His latest five-wicket haul came after he dismissed two Bangladeshi batsmen in the morning session of the fourth day’s play, bringing his total wickets for the match to five in the second innings.
Most Five-Wicket Hauls in WTC History:
- 11 – Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
- 10 – Nathan Lyon (Australia)
- 8 – Pat Cummins (Australia)
- 7 – Jasprit Bumrah (India)
- 6 – Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
- 6 – Tim Southee (New Zealand)
Ravichandran Ashwin Surpasses Anil Kumble in Unique Test Record for Team India
A Historic Day for Indian Cricket
On the fourth day of the Test match, Ashwin opened his account by dismissing Bangladeshi captain Shakib Al Hasan in his first over and later took out Mehidy Hasan Miraz, further solidifying his place as a key player for India. Additionally, this five-wicket haul marks Ashwin’s fifth of the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle, propelling him to the top of the wicket-takers list for this period.
In terms of overall Test cricket, Ashwin’s performance has also allowed him to equal legendary spinners Shane Warne and surpass former New Zealand all-rounder Richard Hadlee. Both had previously held significant records for five-wicket hauls.
Most Five-Wicket Hauls in Test History
The all-time list for five-wicket hauls in Test cricket is led by Sri Lanka’s iconic spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who achieved this milestone an astounding 67 times. The current standings are:
- 67 – Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
- 37 – Shane Warne (Australia)
- 37 – Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
- 36 – Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)
- 35 – Anil Kumble (India)
With 521 wickets in just 101 matches, Ashwin has also surpassed former West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh, becoming the eighth leading wicket-taker in Test cricket history.
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