Published By: Sayan Guha

Ashwin's Masterclass: Records Fall as India’s All-Round Wizard Eyes More Milestones

Ashwin scores a brilliant ton on Day 1, setting himself up for a historic run

Is there anything remarkable about Ravichandran Ashwin playing in Chennai? On Day 1 of the first India-Bangladesh Test, Ashwin demonstrated why he is a legend. When India was suffering at 144/6, it appeared like another collapse was on the horizon. But Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (86) had other thoughts. They formed an undefeated 195-run partnership, with Ashwin scoring a fluent 102*, his second Test century at this ground.

Ashwin's already impressive record collection after day 1 vs Bangladesh

Ashwin is no stranger to achieving milestones. He's one of the few all-rounders who can dominate a game with both the ball and the bat. With his latest century, he joins a select group of players who have achieved numerous hundreds and fifers at the same venue. Let that settle in for a minute. Who else has accomplished this? Legends include Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Garfield Sobers.

Here's a fast stat: Ashwin now has four fifers and two hundred in Chennai. That's right, the man isn't just a master with the ball; he also understands how to handle the bat. Speaking of hundreds, did you realise that Ashwin now has four centuries coming in at eighth or lower in Tests? Only Daniel Vettori, with five, has more. Ashwin is now tied with Jason Holder and Kamran Akmal, but he may easily take the top slot at this rate.

Records Ashwin could break in the series

A test double hundred?

Imagine Ashwin being the first Indian bowling all-rounder to achieve a double century in Tests. He already has a ton under his belt on Day 1, and considering his history, would it be surprising if he went on to hit a double? Not really. It's a long shot, but this is Ashwin, a player who enjoys surprising us.

Most wickets in India

Ashwin is getting closer to a significant milestone. He is just 22 wickets away from surpassing the great Anil Kumble as the top wicket-taker in Tests on Indian soil. Kumble has 476 wickets in India, which has been an intact record for years. But, with two Tests against Bangladesh and Ashwin's propensity for getting wickets in India, this might be the series that dethrones Kumble.

Leading wicket-taker in India vs Bangladesh tests

Zaheer Khan now has the most wickets in India's Tests against Bangladesh, with 31. But Ashwin is closing in, only 9 wickets behind Zaheer. Given Ashwin's record against Bangladesh (23 wickets so far), it's not difficult to see him breaking this one before the conclusion of the series.

Most wickets in this WTC campaign

Josh Hazlewood currently leads the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 season with 51 wickets. Ashwin, who has 42 wickets, needs ten more to overcome Hazlewood. With four innings remaining in the series, Ashwin is in an excellent position to do this.

Most 5-fors in WTC history

Ashwin has been a consistent threat at the WTC, with ten five-wicket hauls to his name, tied with Nathan Lyon of Australia. With a single fifer in this series, Ashwin would become the solo record holder for the most fifers in WTC history.

Most wickets in WTC history

Regarding the WTC, Ashwin is on the verge of breaking another major record. Nathan Lyon is the top wicket-taker in the WTC, with 187 scalps. Ashwin is only 14 wickets away from that total, and with his current form, he might very well outperform Lyon in this series.