Ravichandran Ashwin gets 500th Test wicket by snaring Zak Crawley to halt England’s excellent start to their innings
Ravichandran Ashwin became just the ninth player in Test history to take 500 wickets by getting Zak Crawley on day two against England.
The Indian spinner, playing in his 99th Test match, sent the home crowd wild as he enticed Crawley into a sweep straight to Rajat Patidar.
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England made an incredible start to their pursuit of 445, scoring 89 runs before Ashwin delivered for his country.
The 37-year-old averages just 23 runs per wicket and is a demon at home.
He thought he was going to take his 500th Test wicket in the last Test, but he was forced to wait.
In the end, it was definitely worth it as Ashwin got Crawley to make the breakthrough, and the talkSPORT 2 commentary team were full of praise for him.
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talkSPORT's ball-by-ball commentator Neil Manthorp said: "Ravichandran Ashwin becomes just the ninth cricketer to reach that remarkable milestone, and the victim is Zak Crawley.
"Ashwin knows how much work over many years has gone into that.";
Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Jhunjhunwala added: "He thoroughly deserves that 500th wicket and to be in that elite club.
"What a cricketer."
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And former England spinner Gareth Batty was also full of praise.
He said: "It's phenomenal.
"He's had an incredibly long, distinguished career.
"The milestones are nice because he's leaving a legacy.
"500 wickets is not something that isn't going to happen again, and longevity is the true test of greatness and sporting prowess."
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Ashwin enjoyed an eventful day as he first helped India pass 400, along with debutant Dhruv Jurel.
He scored 37 and was penalised for running on the wicket, becoming just the third batter in Test history to be punished.
This meant England started their innings on 5-0, and they ended the day on 207-2 after just 35 overs, so Ashwin is going to have to be at his best on day three or the visitors could set a huge total.
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