Ashwin becomes the fastest bowler to take 250 Test wickets

02/12/2017

Ravichandran Ashwin has become the fastest bowler to reach 250 wickets in Test cricket’s history taking only 45 Tests to reach the landmark. In the process, Ashwin has broken the record of Australian pace legend Dennis Lillee, who had achieved it in 48 Tests.

No.1 bowler in ICC Test ranking, Ashwin had taken 248 wickets before coming into this Test. But in the first innings of the Bangladesh innings, he had to face the stumbling block of a dead pitch. He could pick only a single wicket on the third day, dismissing Shakib Al Hasan in his 15th over.

But, on day four, Ashwin wasted very little time in getting to the landmark by dismissing Rahim. The batsman looked to sweep his carrom ball but got a bit of glove on that, which was easily pouched by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.

Now, Ashwin needs only 17 wickets to equal the tally of former India captain and spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi, who took 266 wickets from 67 Tests.

Interestingly, no bowler in international cricket has taken more wickets than Ashwin since he made his Test debut in November 2011 against West Indies in Delhi. In this period, Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath has picked up 247 wickets in 46 matches and is placed at the second position. Among the Indian bowlers, no one has picked up even half of Ashwin's wickets in this period. Ravindra Jadeja, with 112 scalps is next to him in the chart.

Earlier, Anil Kumble was the fastest bowler from India to have picked 250 Test wickets, taking 55 Tests to reach the landmark.