Ravichandran Ashwin becomes second fastest player in history to pick 450 Test wickets

Ravichandran-Ashwin-450-test-wickets india vs australia

Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday became the second fastest bowler to take 450 Test wickets. He achieved the feat during Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan took 80 Test wickets to reach the milestone.

The 36-year-old India veteran got rid of an attacking Alex Carey in the 54th over of Australia's first innings. The Tamil Nadu cricketer had 449 wickets at an average of 24.30 in 88 Test matches before the ongoing Test match. He has as many as 30 five-wicket hauls in the longest format of the game.

After dismissing Carey and helping India reduce Australia to 162/6, Ashwin got the better of Australia captain Pat Cummins. Later, he castled the stumps of Scott Boland to wrap up Australia's first innings. Ashwin, who is the ninth highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket, is now eight wickets behind his Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon. The latter too is part of the match and the series.

Records galore for Ashwin in Nagpur

Further, Ashwin (23635) is also now the second fastest bowler in terms of balls bowled to take 450 Test wickets. Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath bowled 23635 balls to claim 450 Test wickets. The Indian is now only the second from his country after Anil Kumble to have 450 Test scalps in his kitty. Overall, Ashwin is fourth in the list of spinners with most wickets in red-ball cricket. Only Muralitharan, Warner and Kumble are ahead of him.

The tweaker currently occupies the third and second spots in ICC Test bowlers and all-rounders rankings respectively.

Talking about the match, Australia opted to bat first after winning the toss. After losing the openers early Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith stitched a 82-run partnership, however, the visitors soon slipped to 177 all-out. Ravindra Jadeja picked a five-wicket haul on his comeback from injury.