Ravichandran Ashwin becomes second-fastest bowler to scalp 400 Test wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin becomes the second fastest Indian bowler to scalp 400 wickets in the game's purest format. Ashwin, who was playing his 77th Test, dismissed England batsmen Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, and Jofra Archer in the second innings to achieve the feat. Ashwin is only behind Muttiah Muralitharan in the list of fastest bowlers to take 400 wickets in Tests. Muralitharan accomplished the feat in just 72 matches. Other Indian bowlers to have claimed more than 400 wickets are Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434), and Harbhajan Singh (417).

Ashwin opened his account in the second innings by dismissing Stokes and Pope. His 400th wicket was Jofra Archer, who missed a wide sweep shot as the ball hit him low on the pad. Ashwin scalped three wickets in England's first innings, where the visitors were out for 112. The 34-year-old has been in great form with both bat and ball this series. He has picked up 23 wickets and scored 176 runs, including a hundred in the second innings of the second Test. In addition to 400 Test wickets, Ashwin has taken 150 wickets in ODIs and 52 in T20Is since his international debut in 2010.

Ashwin has been the key to India's success in the purest format of the game

Ravichandran Ashwin made his Test debut against West Indies in 2011. The 34-year-old is presently the quickest bowler to reach 250, 300, and 350 wickets in Test cricket. Ashwin has been the key to India's successes in the game's purest format. The off-spiner has retained his position as India's frontline bowler in home Tests for several years now.

India sealed a 10-wicket victory in two days and have gone 2-1 up in the four-match series. The hosts will now need to either draw or win the final Test to book a place in the WTC final.

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