Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s premier off-spinner, etched his name in the record books on Thursday by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). During the second Test against New Zealand at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Ashwin claimed two crucial wickets, surpassing Australia’s Nathan Lyon to secure the top spot in the WTC rankings.
Ashwin’s historic moment came in the morning session of Day 1 when he dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham for 15, followed by the wicket of Will Young for 18. These dismissals brought his tally to 188 wickets in just 39 WTC matches, edging past Lyon, who has taken 187 wickets in 43 games. Ashwin’s brilliance on the field continues to solidify his role as a lynchpin in India’s bowling attack throughout the WTC.
This achievement highlights Ashwin’s remarkable ability to adapt and excel across conditions, making him one of the most reliable spinners in the modern era. His mastery of spin, coupled with his tactical acumen, has often proven to be a game-changer for India, especially in high-stakes Test matches. His contributions have been pivotal as India aims for a place in the WTC final.
Nathan Lyon, a consistent performer for Australia, has long been one of Ashwin’s fiercest competitors. However, Ashwin’s ability to reach this milestone in fewer matches speaks to his efficiency and impact. Following Ashwin and Lyon on the list is Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins, with 175 wickets in 42 matches, while fellow Australian Mitchell Starc has 147 wickets in 38 games. England’s retired pace bowler Stuart Broad completes the top five, with 134 wickets from 33 Tests in the WTC.
Ashwin’s achievement also highlights his status as the sole Indian bowler in the top five of the WTC wicket-taker rankings. The next Indian on the list is Jasprit Bumrah, who ranks seventh with 124 wickets from 30 matches, underscoring Ashwin’s dominance in the format.
As India battles New Zealand in the ongoing series, Ashwin’s form is likely to be a key factor in their efforts to bounce back and secure a spot in the WTC final. His knack for taking wickets at crucial moments, as demonstrated in Pune, further cements his status as one of India’s greatest match-winners in Test cricket.
