IND vs AUS 2023: Ravichandran Ashwin becomes the fastest Indian to pick up 450 Test wickets

India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has become the fastest Indian bowler to scale down 450 Test wickets. The talisman reached the coveted milestone when he bowled Alex Carey, who was looking to play a reverse sweep on Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Australia at Nagpur on Thursday.

Ashwin returned with impressive figures of 3-52 in the 15.5 overs he bowled as Australia was skittled out for a meager score of 177 runs after Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first.

In fact, Ashwin became only the second Indian bowler to take 450 Test wickets. The off-spinner bettered Anil Kumble’s record as the Karnataka leg-spinner had taken 93 Test matches to get to the landmark whereas Ashwin achieved the same in 89 Test matches.

Meanwhile, legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is the fastest to reach 450 wickets as he got to the feat in 80 Test matches. Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne took 100 and 101 Test matches respectively to reach 450 Test wickets.

On the other hand, Ashwin’s spin partner, Ravindra Jadeja made a comeback to International cricket after five months. Jadeja was able to get off the blocks as he returned with impressive figures of 5-47. The left-arm spinner got the crucial wickets of Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who added 82 runs together for the fourth wicket.

Ergo, Australia was skittled out for a paltry score of 177 runs and in response, India finished the opening day in a strong position at 77-1, trailing by 100 runs. The home team will look to continue their domination on the second day’s play whereas the visitors will be looking to bounce back strongly into the contest.