Ravichandran Ashwin becomes leading wicket-taker in Border-Gavaskar Trophy history

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Nakul Shivani | Date 11-03-2023
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin

 

Ahmedabad

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin became the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia on Friday.

Ashwin accomplished this milestone during India's fourth and final Test against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

In the first innings, Ashwin weaved his magic yet again on a pitch that did not really offer much help to spinners. He ended up with a spell of 6/91 in 47.2 overs.

He took key wickets of Travis Head (32), Cameron Green (114), Alex Carey (0), Mitchell Starc (6), Nathan Lyon (34) and Todd Murphy (41).

Now in 22 matches, Ashwin has taken 113 wickets at an average of 28.10 and an economy rate of 2.71. His best bowling figures in an inning are 7/103 in BGT.

Lyon is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the history of the series, with 113 wickets. But he is in the second position as he has taken 26 matches to reach this number. His average is 31.92 and his economy rate is 3.09. His best bowling figures against India in Tests is 8/50.

Ashwin and Lyon are followed by Indian spin legends Anil Kumble (111) and Harbhajan Singh (95). Ravindra Jadeja is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in BGT history, with 85 wickets.

This was also Ashwin's 26th five-wicket haul in India, the most by any bowler in India. Overall, he has a total of 32 five-wicket hauls, which is the fifth-highest in the history of Test cricket. The highest number of Test five-wicket hauls are taken by Sri Lankan spin wizard Mutthiah Muralitharan, who has a total of 67 five-wicket hauls in the longer format.

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Ashwin is also the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has taken a total of 24 wickets in four matches, with the best figures of 6/91.