Ravichandran Ashwin dismisses Zak Crawley To Become 9th Bowler To Pick 500 Test Wickets, Check Full List

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Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday, February 16 became only the ninth bowler to pick 500 Test wickets. He achieved the feat by dismissing Zak Crawley and breaking his 89-run opening stand with Ben Duckett.

The 37-year-old had 490 wickets from 95 Test matches before the start of the series. He picked six wickets in the first Test match in Hyderabad and three in the following game in Visakhapatnam.

The 37-year-old Chennai-born cricketer is the fifth spinner to achieve the feat of picking 500 Test wickets. Ashwin is also only the second India bowler after Anil Kumble (619) to join the elite list of bowlers to pick 500 or more Test wickets. His contemporary Nathan Lyon recently became the eight bowler to take 500 Test wickets.

On the first ball of the 14th over, Crawley miscued a sweep shot as a top-edge landed into the hands of Rajat Patidar at fine leg. A smiling Ashwin was soon surrounded by his teammates. Head coach Rahul Dravid and other members of the coaching team stood in the dressing room to applaud the momentous feat by one of India's finest Test players.

Ashwin is now the second-fastest bowler to claim 500 Test wickets in terms of both - ball bowled and matches played. The off-spinner picked his 500th Test wicket on his 25714th delivery. Australia pacer Glenn McGrath bowled 25528 balls to pick 500 Test wickets.

Muttiah Muralitharan took the fewest matches to complete his 500 Test wickets. The Sri Lanka legend got to the landmark in his 87th Test match. Ashwin is second with 98 Test matches, and is followed by compatriot and former captain Anil Kumble (105).

Fewest balls to take 500 Test wickets:

• McGrath: 25528
• Ashwin: 25714
• Anderson: 28150
• Broad: 28430
• Walsh: 28833

Fewest Tests to 500 Test wickets

• Muralitharan: 87
• R Ashwin: 98
• A Kumble: 105
• S Warne: 108
• G McGrath: 110

Ashwin has the third highest number of wickets among active cricketers. James Anderson, who is part of the ongoing third Test, is four short of 700 Test wickets. Lyon has 517 wickets from 127 Test matches.

Most Test wickets (Active players)

• James Anderson: 694
• Nathan Lyon: 517
• Ashwin: 500