Border-Gavaskar Trophy: R Ashwin became the first Asian cricketer to complete a Test double of 3000 runs and 450 wickets in the series-opener against Australia.
Nagpur,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 14:11 IST
BGT: All-rounder Ashwin joins Shane Warne, Stuart Broad in elite Test list (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: India star Ravichandran Ashwin became the first Asian cricketer to score 3000 runs and pick up 450 plus wickets in Test cricket during the first Test against Australia in Nagpur on Thursday. The Tamil Nadu-born all-rounder achieved the feat during the series opener against Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
Overall, Ashwin is only the third cricketer in the world to complete a double of 3000 runs and 450 wickets in Test cricket. Stuart Broad and Shane Warne are the other two cricketers to have reached the milestone. Ashwin was only one wicket short of the feat before the Nagpur Test and he achieved it in the second session of the opening day’s play of the ongoing match.
India vs Australia, 1st Test Day 1 Updates
Ashwin became the second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to reach 450 Test wickets when he dismissed Alex Carey for 36 in his 11th over. Ashwin then took another wicket, dismissing Australia captain Pat Cummins on 6.
Ashwin is the second fastest bowler to reach the mark in 88 Tests, behind Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralidaran who achieved the feat in 80 matches. Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies in Delhi. He was named player of the match for his bowling performance (3/81 & 6/47) as India won by five wickets.
Furthermore, the 36-year-old has the second-most player of the series awards (9) in Tests, trailing only Muralidaran (11). Ashwin is currently ranked third and second in the ICC Test bowlers and all-rounder rankings, respectively.
At the start of the match, the Indian pacers found swing with the new ball and removed both openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner, within the first 20 minutes of play. While Mohammed Siraj trapped Khawaja with an inswinger, Mohammed Shami uprooted David Warner’s off stump.
Later in the day, Ravindra Jadeja shook up Australia’s middle order, taking four crucial wickets: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw and Todd Murphy. Australia were 173/8 in 59 overs at the time of writing.
