Pune
Ravichandran Ashwin has made history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) during the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
Ashwin achieved this milestone in the opening session of Day 1, dismissing New Zealand captain Tom Latham and opener Will Young. With these three wickets, he reached a total of 189 wickets in 39 matches, surpassing Australia’s Nathan Lyon, who has 187 wickets in 43 Tests.
Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins follows in third place with 175 wickets from 42 matches, while Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah ranks seventh with 124 wickets in 30 matches.
Overall, Ashwin has taken 530 wickets in 104 Tests at an impressive average of under 24, making him the second-highest wicket-taker in India’s Test history, just behind the legendary Anil Kumble, who claimed 619 wickets. In addition to his bowling feats, Ashwin has scored 3,438 runs in Tests, averaging 26.44, which includes six centuries and 14 half-centuries. His remarkable all-round capabilities continue to solidify his status as one of the finest cricketers in the game today.
