Ravichandran Ashwin: A Legacy of Spin and Steel

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's most prolific bowling all-rounders, celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday, basking in a legacy that few can rival. For over a decade, Ashwin has epitomized skill, resilience, and cricketing acumen, delivering memorable moments for Indian cricket with both ball and bat.

In his illustrious career, Ashwin's statistics are a testament to his greatness. Featuring in 106 Tests, the off-spinner has claimed 537 wickets at an exceptional average of 24.00. His superb figures of 7/59 highlight his match-winning prowess, while his 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket match hauls place him amongst the elite. Globally, Ashwin ranks as the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Test history, trailing only Anil Kumble (619) for India. Notably, he holds the second-highest number of five-wicket hauls in Tests, behind only the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan.

Ashwin has also been a valuable contributor with the bat, showcasing determination and grit. He amassed 3,503 runs in Tests at an average of 25.75, scoring six centuries and 14 fifties, with a top score of 124. His ability to rise to crucial moments against formidable bowling line-ups solidified his status as a true all-rounder.

In the limited-overs arena, Ashwin continued to make his mark. Over 116 ODIs, he secured 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25, and scored 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including one half-century. Ashwin ranks as India's 13th-highest wicket-taker in ODI history. In T20Is, he took 72 wickets across 65 matches.

Throughout his career, across all formats, Ashwin accumulated 765 wickets in 287 matches, ranking him as India's second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble (953 wickets). Beyond the numbers, Ashwin played key roles in some of India's iconic victories, including being part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad and a pivotal figure in India's 2013 Champions Trophy win, forever engraving his name in cricket folklore. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ashwin's impact was significant, spanning 17 years. His journey, which began with Chennai Super Kings, fittingly concluded in the same yellow jersey this year. With 201 wickets in 239 matches, he stands as the league's fifth-highest wicket-taker.

(With inputs from agencies.)