Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri reveals the secret of Ashwin’s magnificence | Ravichandran Ashwin A journey of illustrious career: Former Indian cricket legend and head coach Ravi Shastri recently shed light on Ravindran Ashwin’s stellar career and the reasons behind his exceptional abilities.
Ashwin, who retired from international cricket after the Gabba Test, is regarded as one of the greatest match-winners in the history of Indian cricket. Speaking to host Sanjana Ganesan in a recent episode of ICC Review, Shastri discussed Ashwin’s strengths.
He said, “The most striking thing for me was that he constantly wanted to improve himself. He was never a player to stop where he was in the beginning.”
Ashwin was famous for his habit of evolving his game. He worked on new bowling techniques and action even in the last phase of his career. On this, Shastri said, “He wanted to learn new techniques, implement them and keep updating his game with time.”
Ashwin’s record is a testament to his talent. He is India’s second-most successful bowler in international cricket with 765 wickets (in 537 Tests), behind Anil Kumble (953 wickets).
“Any player who takes 537 wickets is considered special,” Shastri said. Shastri also praised Ashwin’s performance in this decade, who has taken 175 Test wickets at an average of 21.18 since 2020. He cited Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja’s partnership as a major reason for India’s success. “They both used to inspire each other.
Many of Jadeja’s wickets came because of Ashwin and vice versa,” Shastri said. Ashwin’s specialty is reflected in his similar performance whether the batsman is right-handed or left-handed.
He took 269 wickets against right-handed batsmen and 268 against left-handed batsmen. Shastri called it the biggest proof of his talent.
“His skill, ball control and ability to outwit the batsman make him special,” Shastri said. Ashwin’s illustrious career will always keep him among the legends of cricket.
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Ravichandran Ashwin: A journey of illustrious career and unprecedented records Ravichandran Ashwin will be considered one of the greatest players of Indian cricket.
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin records
Representing India in more than 287 matches, Ashwin has left such an impression with both his bat and ball that will always remain in the hearts of cricket lovers. After retiring from international cricket, let’s take a look at his records that define his greatness.
Most wickets for India
Ashwin has taken a total of 765 wickets in his career, which is the second most wickets for India. Only Anil Kumble (953 wickets) is ahead of him in this list. His 537 wickets in Test cricket are also second only to Kumble (619 wickets).
India’s top bowlers with Most wickets across all formats
| Bowler | Wickets | Average |
| Anil Kumble | 953 | 30.06 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 765 | 25.80 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 707 | 32.59 |
| Kapil Dev | 687 | 28.83 |
| Zaheer Khan | 597 | 31.48 |
Achievements & record time
Fastest 350 Test wickets: Ashwin achieved this feat in just 66 matches, which is the joint fastest with Muttiah Muralitharan. Fastest 250 and 300 Test wickets: Ashwin achieved these feats in 45 and 54 matches respectively.
Ravichandran Ashwin Unrivaled all-rounder
Ashwin is the only player in Test history to have taken more than 500 wickets and more than 5 centuries (6). He has achieved the feat of taking a century and 5 wickets in the same Test 4 times, which is the second best after Sir Ian Botham (5 times).
Second most five-wicket hauls in Tests
Ashwin has taken five wickets in a Test innings 37 times, which is second only to Muttiah Muralitharan (67). Apart from this, he has taken 10 wickets in a Test match 8 times.
Most “Player of the Series”
Ashwin has received the “Player of the Series” award 11 times in Test cricket, which is equal to Muttiah Muralitharan’s record. His tally of 537 wickets for India in Test cricket is also second only to Anil Kumble (619).
Quickest to 350 Test wickets
Back in 2019, Ashwin breached the mark in his 66th Test match for India and is the joint-quickest to get to that mark alongside Muttiah Muralidaran.
The Indian off-spinner also holds the record for being the quickest to bag 250 and 300 Test wickets – having done so off 45 and 54 outings respectively.
Six Test hundreds and 500 wickets
Ashwin remains the only player in Test history to have claimed more than five Test hundreds (6) to go along with 500 wickets to his name. He is only behind Ian Botham (5) in the tally of nabbing a Test century and five-for in the same Test – having done so four times.
Second-most five-wicket hauls
Ashwin has bagged a five-for in a Test innings 37 times – second only to Muttiah Muralidaran, who has 67 to his name.The off-spinner has also nabbed 10 wickets in a Test match on eight instances during his career, behind Muralidaran (22), Shane Warne (10), Sir Richard Hadlee and Rangana Herath (9) and equal to compatriot Anil Kumble.
Joint-highest player of the Series awards: The spin all-rounder has been adjudged Player of the Series 11 times during his Test career – joint-best alongside Muttiah Muralidaran”
source: ICC
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin became the seventh highest wicket-taker in Test
