February 16, 2024

A Historic Achievement for Ravichandran Ashwin in Rajkot Test – Cricket World Cup

Ravichandran Ashwin Joins Elite Company with 500 Test Wickets. In a momentous achievement, Ravichandran Ashwin has etched his name in cricketing history by becoming just the second Indian bowler, after Anil Kumble and the ninth player to secure 500 wickets in Test cricket. 

In a historic moment during the ongoing Test match in Rajkot against England, Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 500th wicket in Test cricket, dismissing opener Zak Crawley on Day 2 of the third Test. Ashwin entered the match with 499 scalps after the second Test in Vizag. He wasted no time reaching the coveted milestone.

Ashwin’s achievement cements his status as one of the all-time greats, as he becomes just the ninth bowler in Test history to breach the 500-wicket barrier. He is also the only Indian cricketer since Anil Kumble to join the elite group of bowlers who have taken over 100 wickets in Test matches. Among spinners, Ashwin now ranks fifth in the list of highest wicket-takers in Test history, following legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Nathan Lyon. Since his debut in November 2011, Ashwin has been a crucial component of India’s Test attack, particularly at home, where he has claimed an impressive 347 of his 500 wickets.

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In just 98 Test matches, Ravichandran Ashwin has become the second-fastest bowler in Test history to claim 500 wickets, trailing only the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan. This feat is a testament to Ashwin’s exceptional skill and consistency, as the other seven bowlers in the 500-wicket club took over 100 Test matches to reach this milestone.

On the eve of the Test, Ashwin’s teammate and fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja playfully commented that it was Ashwin’s “destiny” to complete the milestone at Jadeja’s home ground in Rajkot. The camaraderie between the two players, who have formed a formidable partnership for India in Test cricket, adds another layer of significance to Ashwin’s achievement. As the cricketing world celebrates Ashwin’s remarkable accomplishment, his teammates, like Jadeja, share the joy and recognition of his well-deserved success.

“I am very happy for him, I have been playing with him for years,” Jadeja had said. “I thought he would get it in the first test match, but it’s okay, it is destiny that he will get it here in my hometown.”

Throughout his illustrious Test career, Ravichandran Ashwin has consistently demonstrated his exceptional bowling abilities. He stands tall among the pantheon of great bowlers with 34 five-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket match hauls. The fact that he achieved these feats in just 98 Test matches further highlights his remarkable talent and contributions to the Indian team.

In the current landscape of Test cricket, Ashwin finds himself in elite company. Alongside England’s legendary paceman James Anderson and Australia’s star spinner Nathan Lyon, Ashwin is one of only three active bowlers with over 400 wickets to their names. This distinguished trio continues to shape the narrative of Test cricket, leaving an indelible mark on the sport with their extraordinary skills and relentless drive for success.

India Receives a Five-Run Penalty in the Rajkot Test

During the first session of the second day of the Rajkot Test, Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin faced consequences for infringing the protected area of the pitch. In the 102nd over of India’s innings, Ashwin nudged the ball towards the covers and attempted to steal a run by sprinting down the pitch. However, his partner, Dhruv Jurel, sent him back, prompting on-field umpire Joel Wilson to intervene. After consulting with Ravichandran Ashwin, umpire Joel Wilson imposed a five-run penalty on the Indian team for infringing the rules by running on the protected area of the pitch.

In a significant turn of events during the Rajkot Test, the Indian cricket team faced a five-run penalty after all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was deemed to have encroached upon the protected area of the pitch. The incident occurred during the second day’s first session when Ashwin attempted to steal a quick single, only to be sent back by his partner Dhruv Jurel. On-field umpire Joel Wilson intervened, discussing the matter with Ashwin before signaling the penalty.

This wasn’t the first time Team India had been warned about such an infringement, as fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had already received a caution for running on the protected area on the first day of the Test. According to Law 41.14.1, which pertains to a batter damaging the pitch, “it is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch.” Consequently, England will start their innings with a 5-0 lead, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.

Law 41.14 deals with the situation of a batter damaging the pitch and Law 41.14.1 states:

“It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. If the striker enters the protected area in playing or playing at the ball, he/she must move from it immediately thereafter. A batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause.”

Law 41.14.2 describes the procedure to be followed in the first such occurrence, which is a warning to the batting side.

“If either batter causes deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch, other than as in 41.15, at the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence. The bowler’s end umpire shall then warn both batters that the practice is unfair and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform each incoming batter. inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.”

Finally, the penalty is prescribed in Law 41.14.3,

“If there is any further instance of deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch by any batter in that innings, the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence.

In an outstanding display of cricket, India emerged victorious against England in the Rajkot Test, securing a 434-run win, their most significant margin of victory in Test history. The match saw exceptional performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja, who starred with both bat and ball.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal’s brilliant century set the tone for India’s dominance.
• Ravindra Jadeja’s outstanding all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
• India’s bowlers were clinical in their approach, leaving England struggling to find answers.
• The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of India, setting up an exciting finish.

With this triumph, India has regained momentum in the series. It will be looking to carry its winning form into the remaining matches. On the other hand, England must regroup quickly and address its batting frailties if it hopes to level the series.

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