Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s premier spinner, is set to reach a significant milestone in his illustrious career as he prepares for his 100th Test match in the upcoming fifth and final Test against England at the picturesque HPCA stadium in Himachal’s Dharamshala. This momentous occasion will also mark Ashwin’s 500th wicket in the red-ball format, a testament to his exceptional skill and longevity in the game.
Throughout his decade-long career, Ashwin has established himself as a master of spin bowling, earning the admiration of experts and fans alike. His unique carrom ball, delivered with a flick of his fingers from a front-on action, has become a formidable weapon in his bowling arsenal, leaving even the world’s best batters bewildered.
Ashwin’s repertoire extends beyond the carrom ball, encompassing a wide range of variations, including the slider, arm ball, and topspin. By subtly altering his wrist position, he keeps batsmen guessing, making him a prolific wicket-taker across all formats, particularly in Tests.
Former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar has hailed Ashwin as the “engineer of spin bowling,” praising his ability to adapt and reinvent himself throughout his career. “Ashwin has been absolutely brilliant,” Panesar said. “He’s been working out angles and engineering his way to dismissals. He’s brilliant at changing the revolutions on the ball and enriching the art of spin bowling.”
Since his debut against England in 2012, Ashwin has enjoyed remarkable success, contributing significantly to India’s victories. In 21 Tests against England, he has claimed 105 wickets at an average of 28.88, with 12/167 being his best effort to date. In the ongoing five-match series, the veteran spinner has claimed 17 wickets in four matches at an average of 30.41.
As India holds an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, Ashwin will be eager to add to his tally and surpass English spinner Tom Hartley’s 20 wickets in the series. The Dharamshala Test will provide Ashwin with the perfect opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the greatest spinners of all time.
