R Ashwin picks up 250th wicket at home, joins Kumble and Harbhajan in elite list

After India’s thumping 2-1 victory over the visiting Bangladeshi’s in T20Is, the two teams are now facing off against each other for the honours of the ongoing Ganguly-Durjoy Trophy. The opening Test of the two-match series went underway this morning when the visitors won the toss and decided to bat first. During the afternoon session, Indian Test specialist Ravichandran Ashwin became only the third spinner from the country to pick up 250 wickets on home conditions.

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R Ashwin scalps 250th Test wicket, joins an elite list

Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque became Ashwin’s latest victim when he failed to pick up a drifting delivery. Haque joined the crease early in the innings and started damage-control with Mushfiqur Rahim. Haque played a patient inning of 37 runs before getting castled by the off-spinner.

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Playing his 69th Test and 39th at home, Ashwin achieved the milestone and joined an elite list of Indian spinners. Previously, legendary spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh also reached this illustrious milestone. Having played 57 Test matches at home, retired cricketer Anil Kumble ended his career with 350 wickets in the format. Overall, he accounted for 619 Test wickets and is India’s most successful bowler of all time. Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh has picked up 265 wickets in his 50 home Tests.

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With the milestone out of the way, Ravichandran Ashwin will continue to lead the Indian spin attack against Bangladesh in the ongoing series. The right-arm off-spinner is currently enjoying a good home season as he was also India’s highest wicket-taker in the three-Test series against South Africa. Team India went onto win that series 3-0 and with it, regained the Freedom Trophy.

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