Ashwin and Jadeja Reach Milestones on Day 1 of India vs Australia 2nd Test in Delhi

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Team India spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on Friday (February 17) reached milestones during the ongoing 2nd Test against Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

First up, Jadeja took his 250th Test wicket in the second session of day 1 with the dismissal of opener Usman Khawaja, who was threatening to score big, for 81 thanks to a blinder of catch from KL Rahul at covers. In the final session, he got rid of Pat Cummins and Todd Murphy.

With this feat, Jadeja becomes the eighth Indian player to take 250 scalps or more in Test cricket and also the fifth Indian spinner to reach the landmark after Bishan Singh Bedi, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Sing and Ashwin.

Top 10 most wickets for India in Tests

An over after Jadeja reached his milestone, Ashwin removed Alex Carey, caught at slip by Virat Kohli, for a duck, to take 100 wickets against Australia. This makes him the second bowler after legendary Kumble to achieve the feat of 100 wickets versus Australia.

In the morning session, the 36-year-old, struck twice in the same over to remove the best Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Labuschange was trapped LBW for 18, Smith was caught behind by KS Bharat for a duck.

The feat makes Ashwin, the 15th player overall and fifth spinner to take 100 wickets against Australia in the longest format.

100 Test Wickets or more vs Australia

Australia happens to be the only opposition against whom Ashwin has taken 100 wickets with his next being 86 scalps versus England followed by 66 against New Zealand.

Except for Pakistan, Ashwin has taken at least a wicket against most Test playing nations. He has taken 62 wickets against Sri Lanka and 60 against West Indies. Versus South Africa, the off-spinner has taken 56 wickets.

Ashwin Test Wickets vs Opposition Breakdown

Coming back to the Delhi Test, India bundled out Australia for 263 on the opening day of the match with pacer Mohammed Shami taking four wickets, while the spin twins Ashwin and Jadeja took three wickets each.

For Australia, Khawaja (81) and Peter Handscomb (72 not out) were the top scorers. Cummins also contributed 33 runs with the bat. In reply, India openers remained unbeaten to take the score to 21/0 at stumps on day 1.