Ravichandran Ashwin Turns 38: Indian Spin Magician's Records, Stats and Top Spells

One of the finest spinners of the current generation, Ravichandran Ashwin turns 38 today. Ashwin is one of the very few players who have represented India in 100 or more matches in Test cricket. Earlier this year, the spin maestro became the fastest Indian bowler to take 500 Test wickets.

Having played 100 Tests so far, Ashwin has 516 scalps under his belt. He also has recorded 36 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Ashwin has been equally impressive in the limited-overs cricket.

In the white-ball format, Ashwin has more than 200 wickets to his name. As Ashwin celebrates his birthday we take a look at some of his records and top spells.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Career Stats

In ODIs, Ravichandran Ashwin has so far bagged 156 wickets in 116 ODIs. Ashwin boasts an economy of 4.93 in the 50-over format. The right-arm spinner has scalped 72 wickets in 65 T20Is. Having played 211 matches in the Indian Premier League, Ashwin has claimed 180 wickets till now. Ashwin’s numbers with the bat are no less impressive. Ashwin has five Test centuries to his name. Overall, he has scored 15 international half centuries. In T20I cricket, Ashwin has a strike rate of 114.99

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Records

On the list of India’s highest international wicket-takers, Ravichandran Ashwin finds himself at the second spot having claimed 744 dismissals so far. He is just behind legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble who has picked up 953 wickets across all three formats of the game.

Ravichandran Ashwin also holds the record for the second-highest number of wickets (516) claimed by an Indian bowler in Tests. The top spot is held by former India captain Anil Kumble.

Playing in his 100th Test, Ravichandran Ashwin scripted a couple of records as well. He emerged as the first player to record two hauls of four-plus in their 100th Test match. Ashwin also set the record for best bowling figures (9/128) for any player in their 100th Test. Ashwin got the better of Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan’s numbers (9/141) to achieve this sensational feat.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Top 5 Spells

1. 7/59 vs New Zealand, 2016Ravichandran Ashwin scripted his best Test bowling figures against New Zealand in 2016. In the second innings of that match, Ashwin earned seven wickets having conceded 59 runs. Ashwin had finished that match with 13 wickets to his name.
2. 4/25 vs UAE, 2015In ODIs, Ravichandran Ashwin set his best figures against the UAE in 2015. Playing in an ODI World Cup fixture in Perth, Ashwin dismissed four opposition players giving away 25 runs in his 10 overs.
3. 4/8 vs Sri Lanka, 2016Ravichandran Ashwin exhibited his sensational bowling skills in the third T20I match against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam back in 2016. Ashwin claimed four wickets conceding just four runs in his four overs. Chasing a paltry target of 83, India scored the winning runs with 37 balls to spare.
4. 4/34 vs KXIP, 2016Ravichandran Ashwin had come up with another memorable spell in an IPL match against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). Giving away 34 runs in his four overs, Ashwin had picked up four wickets in that match.
5. 7/66 vs South Africa, 2015The South African batters had to deal with Ravichandran Ashwin’s lethal spin bowling in the Nagpur Test in 2015. Ashwin had already stamped his authority by registering a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Ashwin improved his performance in the second innings and claimed seven more wickets conceding 66 runs. The Proteas bowled out for 185 in the second innings, resulting in India’s resounding 124-run victory.