Cricket News: Fans, pundits, former players, and legends react to R Ashwin taking his 500th Test wicket for India
Ravichandran Ashwin has joined elite company, becoming the ninth bowler – and second Indian after Anil Kumble – to take 500 Test wickets. The offspinner brought up the milestone by dismissing Zak Crawley on the sweep on the second afternoon of the third Test against England at Rajkot, sparking widespread reactions of congratulations online.
Ashwin has been a standout performer spanning over a decade, underpinning India’s dominance at home in particular. He is the fastest Indian to all the major milestone up to the 500th scalp, reaching his 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th, 250th, 300th, 350th, 400th, 450th, and 500th quicker than anyone else.
Ashwin’s thinking and understanding of the game has captured millions worldwide. Not only does he possess the most beautiful of conventional offspin deliveries, skillful carrom and devastating arm balls, but he has the mind to go with it. An example was how he dismissed Marnus Labuschagne caught behind from around the wicket with a slight change in the seam, getting the ball to go across the right-hander after turning the previous delivery into the stumps.
With the offspinner still bowling nicely, who knows how many wickets he will end up with. For now, fans and Ashwin himself can revel in this terrific achievement.
IND vs ENG 2024: Reactions to R Ashwin taking his 500th Test wicket
“500 Test wickets for a one-in-a-million bowler!” tweeted legend Sachin Tendulkar. “In AshWIN the SpinNER, there was always a WINNER. 500 wickets is a huge milestone in Test cricket. Congratulations, Champion!”
“A champion bowler who never stops to learn. Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on this monumental achievement! Wonderful to see another Indian spinner joining the club.” tweeted Anil Kumble, who is currently India’s leading wicket-taker with 619.
Here are some of the reactions from fans, pundits and other former players to Ashwin’s superb achievement.
