Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday scripted history by becoming the most wicket-taking bowler against a single opposition for India in International cricket.
Ashwin, who got a call-up to the India side for the home series against Australia after the injury of Axar Patel ahead of the World Cup, has now taken 144 wickets against the Aussies, the most by any Indian.
His good run against Australia continued on Sunday. Ashwin has so far taken three wickets in 5 overs while defending a DRS-curtailed total of 317 runs. The off-spinner picked up the wickets of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis.
Ashwin surpassed another spin legend of India in the form of Anil Kumble with his second wicket of the innings.
Also Read: WATCH: David Warner bats right-handed to counter Ashwin, off-spinner has the last laugh
Anil Kumble previously held the record surpassed by Ashwin with 142 wickets against the same opposition. Next in line came India’s first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev who had a knack of picking up wickets against Pakistan. Kapil had 141 wickets to his name against India’s arch-rivals.
Coming to Ravichandran Ashwin, it was a surprise return for the veteran to the Indian ODI side with less than three weeks left for the ODI World Cup to kick off at home.
Given his absence from the ODI format, Ashwin was unlikely to be considered for a return to the ODI side. The last time he made an appearance in the ODIs was in January 2022, when he played two matches against South Africa. Both matches were held at Paarl, where he took one wicket in 19 overs. These two matches remain his only two ODI appearances in six years before this series.
With Axar Patel injured and out of the first two games against Australia, India brought back Ashwin into the scheme of things alongside Washinghton Sundar, who had in fact replaced the former in the Asia Cup final on Sunday last week.
Ashwin’s performance, especially in the 2nd ODI, will surely boost his confidence.
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