New Delhi: Senior India spinner R Ashwin enjoyed a brilliant day with the ball during Bangladesh’s second innings of the 1st Test between the two sides at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. After going wicket-less during the visitors’ first innings, Ashwin picked up a three-wicket haul to put India on the cusp of a huge victory in the series opener at his home ground.
Ashwin dismissed Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam on 35 to open his account during the visitors’ second innings before dismissing Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim in quick succession. Ashwin’s 3-wicket haul derailed Bangladesh’s run chase after a good start from the openers as they were reduced to 158/4 at stumps on Day 3, 357 runs behind the mammoth target of 515 runs.
With his three-wicket haul on Day 3, Ashwin also went past Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins (175) on the elite list of highest wicket-takers of all time in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC). Ashwin now has 177 wickets in 36 matches and is the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition behind only Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, who is sitting on the top with 187 wickets from 43 matches.
Ashwin will be eyeing Lyon’s record as the series progresses as he requires 11 more wickets to go past Lyon. Ashwin will have a chance to further close the gap when he returns to bowl for India during the remainder of Bangladesh’s second innings on Day 4 of the Test match on Sunday.
Highest wicket-takers in World Test Championship (WTC):
Nathan Lyon – 187
R Ashwin – 177
Pat Cummins – 175
R Ashwin’s all-round show in Chennai Test
Playing at his home ground in front of his home crowd, local lad Ashwin ensured he didn’t disappoint his fans with a fantastic all-round display in the series opener against Bangladesh. Ashwin stepped up under pressure with the bat for India during their first innings as he slammed his sixth Test ton en route to a brilliant knock of 113 runs to lift India from 144/6 to a total of 376 runs.
He failed to make much of an impact with the ball during the visitors’ first innings and didn’t get a chance to bat in the second. However, the veteran off-spinner continued his heroics during Bangladesh’s second innings by running through their top order with a 3-fer. Ashwin will be hoping to add more wickets to his tally on Sunday as India aim to wrap up a huge win.
Senior India spinner R Ashwin surpassed Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins in an elite list after picking up three wickets during Bangladesh’s 2nd innings of the ongoing 1st Test between the two sides in Chennai. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
