New Delhi. The Chepauk pitch is spin friendly. The first Test match between India and Bangladesh is to be played here on 19 September. The ‘Tigers’, who came to India after defeating Pakistan in its home, are in high spirits, but the ‘fear’ of Ashwin’s spin and carrom ball is haunting them, while on the other hand, this legendary off-spinner has many big records in his sights. From securing the number 1 position in the list of leading wicket-takers in the World Test Championship to surpassing Anil Kumble’s figure of 476 wickets in matches played on Indian soil, R Ashwin can break many records in the upcoming two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh. This world’s number-1 Test bowler will lead India’s spin attack in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first match of the series will be played at Ashwin’s home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and the second match will be hosted by Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on 27 September. Ashwin will celebrate his 38th birthday on Tuesday (September 17).
On this special occasion, let’s take a look at which records he can break in the upcoming two matches. Ashwin will overtake Australia’s Shane Warne as soon as he takes 5 plus wickets in 2 innings against Bangladesh. Also, he has a chance to overtake Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Lyon in terms of Test wickets. The Australian legend currently has 530 wickets in 129 Tests, while Ashwin has taken 516 wickets in 100 Tests. Ashwin can go ahead by taking 15 wickets against Bangladesh. Currently, he has taken 5 or more wickets in 36 innings of 100 Tests. Warne has the record of taking 5 plus wickets in 37 innings. At the top of this list is Sri Lanka’s former off-spinner Muralitharan, who has a record of taking 5 plus wickets 67 times. Ashwin has taken a total of 455 wickets in 126 international matches played in India.
If he takes 22 wickets in the Bangladesh series, he will break Anil Kumble’s record of 476 international wickets in matches played on Indian soil. Ashwin’s Test career in the Indian cricket team has been unmatched. He has played 100 Tests in his nearly one and a half decade long Test career, taking 516 wickets with an average of 23.75. He will become the eighth highest Test wicket-taker in the world as soon as he takes 4 more wickets. Only Anil Kumble (619) has taken more Test wickets than him in the Indian team. On the news related to retirement at the last stage of his career, Ashwin had said in a media interview, “I have not decided to retire yet, but the day I feel that I do not want to improve, I will say goodbye to the game.