Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket history by surpassing legendary Anil Kumble to become the highest wicket-taker for India in the fourth innings of a Test match. Ashwin achieved this remarkable feat during the first Test against Bangladesh at Chennai on Saturday.
After going wicketless in the first innings, Ashwin turned the tide in the final innings while defending a mammoth total of 515 runs. By the end of day three, he had claimed three wickets for 63 runs in 15 overs, with an economy rate of 4.20.
With this performance, Ashwin has now taken 96 wickets in the fourth innings of a Test in just 35 innings, at an astonishing average of 19.4 and a strike rate of over 45. His best bowling figures in the fourth innings stand at an impressive 7/59. He has also registered six five-wicket hauls in the fourth innings of a Test match.
Ashwin’s remarkable achievement has not only placed him above Kumble, who had 94 fourth innings wickets, but also tied him with West Indies legend Courtney Walsh as the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Tests. In 101 Tests, Ashwin has amassed 519 wickets at an average of 23.78, with best figures of 7/59 and a total of 36 five-wicket hauls. Walsh, on the other hand, took 519 wickets in 132 Tests between 1984-2001.
In the ongoing Test match, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first. India’s top-order collapsed, leaving them at a precarious 34/3. However, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and Rishabh Pant (39) stitched a crucial 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket, bringing India back into the game.
After India was reduced to 144/6, Ashwin (113) and Ravindra Jadeja (86*) forged a magnificent 199-run partnership, helping India reach a respectable 376 in 91.2 overs. Hasan Mahmud (5/83) was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, while Taskin Ahmed also chipped in with three wickets.
In their first innings, Bangladesh struggled to keep up with India’s pace attack. Shakib Al Hasan (32), Litton Das (22), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (27*) offered some resistance, but Jasprit Bumrah (4/50) and Akash Deep (2/19) proved too strong, dismissing Bangladesh for 149 runs and leaving them trailing by 227 runs.
In their second innings, India once again lost their top-order quickly, but centuries from Shubman Gill (119*) and Rishabh Pant (109) helped them reach 287/4 before declaring their innings. Bangladesh was set a daunting target of 515 to win.
Bangladesh started their run-chase positively, with openers Zakir Hasan (33) and Shadman Islam (35) putting up a 62-run opening stand. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (51*) held the innings together as Ashwin (3/63) and Bumrah (1/18) picked up wickets. At the end of day three, Bangladesh was 158/4, with Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan (5*) unbeaten.
