R Ashwin one wicket away from special Test century against England, may leave legends Jeff Thomson and Gary Sobers behind

India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who completed 500 Test wickets in the previous encounter against England is set for another milestone. Ashwin is just one wicket away from becoming the first Indian to take 100 Test wickets against England. 
 

When Ashwin takes the field against Ben Stokes’ England in Ranchi starting February 23, he will leave a few legends behind after taking a few wickets. The 37-year-old has 99 wickets from 22 Tests against England at an average of 29.28. He has six five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul against the English side in the format.
 

The legendary cricketers Ashwin can surpass are – 

Jeff Thomson (Australia) – 100 wickets
Lance Gibbs (West Indies) – 100 wickets
Terry Alderman (Australia) – 100 wickets
Charlie Turner (Australia) - 101 wickets
Gary Sobers (West Indies) - 102 wickets
Bill O'Reilly (Australia) - 102 wickets
George Giffen (Australia) - 103 wickets
Clarrie Grimmett (Australia) - 106 wickets
 

Ashwin will also become the second Asian bowler after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralidaran to take 100 or more Test wickets against England. Muralidaran has 112 wickets from 16 Tests including best figures of 9 for 65.

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The top spot is occupied by legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne who has 195 wickets from 36 Tests including 11 five-wicket hauls. Among current players, only Australia's Nathan Lyon is ahead of Ashwin. Lyon has 110 wickets from 30 Tests including two five-wicket hauls. His tally is expected to increase in the home Ashes series. 
 

Another record in sight 

For India, the previous-highest wicket-taker against England in the red-ball format was Anil Kumble. The legendary leggie has 92 wickets from 19 Tests including four five-wicket hauls. He also needs three more wickets to surpass Kumble and become the highest wicket-taker for India in home Tests. Ashwin has 348 wickets while Kumble had 350.
 

Ashwin’s absence on Day 3 of Rajkot delays massive feat

Ashwin could have surpassed a few legends in the Rajkot Test itself but he had to head home due to a medical emergency in the family. After completing 500 Test wickets on Day 2 of the third Test, Ashwin went back home. He returned to play on Day 4. As England suffered a batting collapse, the 37-year-old was handed the ball later. He bowled six overs including three maidens and picked up the wicket of lower-order batter Tom Hartley.
 

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