New Delhi. Can Ravichandran Ashwin break Muttiah Muralitharan’s world record of 800 wickets? Can Ashwin become the bowler taking the most wickets in Test cricket? After India’s victory over Bangladesh in the Chennai Test and Ashwin’s excellent performance, cricket fans are searching for answers to this question. R Ashwin took 6 wickets in the first test against Bangladesh and also scored a century. He was chosen player of the match in Chennai Test.
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin overtook Courtney Walsh by taking 6 wickets in the Chennai Test. Now West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh has 519 Test wickets in his name and Ashwin has 522 wickets. Now there are only 7 bowlers in the world who have taken more Test wickets than Ashwin. Of these, only Nathan Lyon (530) is an active cricketer. Everyone else has retired. Shane Warne is not even in this world anymore.
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If the question is about taking the most wickets, then this record is in the name of Muttiah Muralitharan who retired from cricket in 2010. Muralitharan of Sri Lanka has 800 wickets in his name in 133 test matches. Australia’s Shane Warne (708) is at second place and James Anderson (704) is at third place. After this is Anil Kumble, who has taken 619 wickets. Stuart Broad (604) is at fifth and Glenn McGrath (563) is at sixth. After all this comes the number of Nathan Lyon and R Ashwin.
Amazing clash between Ashwin and Lion
There is also an amazing competition between Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon. Both of them are the best off spinners of current times. Ashwin has taken 522 wickets in 101 matches. His strike rate is 50.51. On an average, he takes a wicket on every 50th ball. 36-year-old Nathan Lyon has taken 530 wickets in 129 tests. His strike rate is 61.81. On an average, he has to bowl 12 overs to take one wicket in Test cricket.
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If we talk about the possibility of Ashwin and Nathan Lyon reaching 800 wickets, then for this both these cricketers will have to play at least 40 or 50 test matches. The reason is that Ashwin takes 5 wickets on an average in a test match. Lion’s is even lower than average.
Age may come in the way of Ashwin
Ashwin is 38 years old. More than his skill, his age may come in the way of the record of 800 wickets. The reason is that if he has to play 40-50 more tests, he will have to continue playing till the age of approximately 44, which will not be easy. Especially when the test matches are continuously decreasing. Ashwin has played only 101 matches in his 13-year career. Looking at his current form, it can be expected that he will come close to Kumble’s record or break it. Muralitharan’s record seems far from his.
Lion has more time
Talking about 36 year old Nathan Lyon, he seems to have a little more time. Another thing in their favor is that Australia plays more Test matches on average than India. But Nathan Lyon’s strike rate and average are not such that he can reach 800 wickets. In such a situation, Muralitharan’s record seems safe.
Tags: Muttiah Muralitharan, Nathan Lyon, R ashwin, Ravichandran ashwin
FIRST PUBLISHED : September 24, 2024, 12:36 IST