Ravichandra Ashwin in the ongoing Rajkot Test has been able to achieve 500 wickets as a bowler. He has become the second Indian Test Spinner to achieve 500 mark. And overall he is the ninth bowler to achieve the landmark. Courtney Walsh achieved the mark for the first time ever in Test Cricket, way back in 2001.
After him, Shane Warne(2004), Muttaiah Muralidaran(2004), Glenn McGrath(2005), Anil Kumble(2006), James Anderson(2017), Stuart Broad(2020), Nathan Lyon(2023) have achieved the landmark. Ashwin also has become second fastest behind Muralidaran to achieve 500 wickets mark. Murali did it in 87 matches while Ashwin took 98 matches.
Later in the day, Ravichandran Ashwin had to withdraw with immediate effect from the Rajkot Test. Will he come back and join for the rest of the two tests, we have to wait and see. He had to withdraw with immediate effect due to a family emergency. He and BCCI did not reveal what is the real cause but he had decided to maintain privacy.
Ashwin has been second highest wicket taker for India in Tests and with 500 to his name, he added more pride and honor to the country and himself. We just hope that his family and he recovers from the dire situation that resulted him to withdraw that suddenly. And hope he will return back to the test arena to keep rattling the opposition batters like only he can.