On this day in 2016: Ashwin registers career-best Test figures against New Zealand
Ravichandran Ashwin is considered as one of the finest spinners of the modern-day world, and not just for Indian cricket. The off-spinner also stunned the world with his batting capabilities in Test cricket and started attracting limelight as a bowling all-rounder. Ashwin is the fastest Indian bowler to reach the 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, and so on till 350-wicket mark in Test cricket (innings-wise). He became the third player from India to bag the ICC Cricketer of the Year honour in 2016.
Though he has showcased his talent in numerous innings, the one that stands out is against New Zealand, where he achieved his career-best figures. During the Test series against New Zealand in 2016 at Indore, Ashwin outclassed the Kiwi batsmen in the second innings by touching figures of 7/59 and was ultimately named as the player of the match. In the 1st innings, Virat Kohli’s double ton and Ajinkya Rahane’s 188-run knocks stole all the limelight from India’s batting line up.
India declared on 557/3. Chasing the big score, the Kiwi batsmen failed and invited a follow on for themselves. During the second innings, India declared on 216, and Cheteshwar Pujara’s century remained remarkable. This time NZ were bundled out for a mere 153 with India winning the game by a mammoth 321 runs. During the 2nd innings, Ashwin came up with intentions to break the back of batsmen coming in front. During his span of 13.5 overs, he knocked out seven batsmen by conceding just 59 runs. The middle-order and lower order of New Zealand entirely became the victim of Ashwin’s deadly spin attack. The figures are still his career-best in Tests.
Ashwin’s International Statistics
Ashwin has 362 wickets and 2385 runs to his credit in Test cricket, which includes four centuries as well. In ODIs, he has 675 runs and 150 wickets to his name. He was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2014. Ashwin also became the 1st Indian to smash a century and pick a fifer in the same Test match on two separate instances.
The 34-year-old is currently in UAE, plying his trade for Delhi Capitals in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League. Talking about his IPL journey, he has been part of various teams in these 12 years, and his association with Chennai Super Kings has been the longest so far. The off-spinner remained an integral part of CSK from 2008-2015. He was then part of Rising Pune Supergiant for a year and was consequently roped in by Kings XI Punjab for a year.
He is currently with DC and doing an excellent job for his franchise. His injury in an earlier match created fear among his teammates, but he is back in all the style. In fact, he was named as the player of the match in Delhi’s latest outing against Rajasthan Royals for his figures of 2/22 in four overs. Ashwin became the talk of the town during last year’s IPL when he ‘mankaded’ Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler as the matter created an uproar in the cricket fraternity.
Many called it against the spirit of cricket. However, as the discussion over the topic grabbed depth, people have come to terms with the same. Having said that, the Chennai man continues to perform in style with his magical spin bowling.
