Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has congratulated Indian veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on achieving the milestone 500 Test wickets during the Day 2 of the ongoing third Test at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Friday, February 16.
Ashwin joined the elusive 500 Test Wicket club, which includes the likes of Muthiah Muralitharan (800), the late Shane Warne (708), James Anderson (696*), Anil Kumble (619), Stuart Broad (604), Glenn McGrath (563), Courtney Walsh (519) and Lyon (517).
Ravichandran Ashwin completed his 500th Test wicket by getting rid of Zak Crawley in England's first innings. The stadium erupted in joy and players hugged Ravichandran Ashwin after the spinner reached the milestone.
In a video released on his X handle (formerly Twitter), Nathan Lyon congratulated Ashwin on joining the elite list and said that he has got nothing but immense respect for him. Australian spinner further stated that he learned a lot from Ashwin despite competing against him.
"Hi Ash, just want to say a massive congratulations on taking 500 Test match wickets. It has been an incredible journey to watch. I have nothing but respect for you the way you’ve gone about it and your skill level. It has been amazing to be competing against you but also learn from you. So, mate, congratulations and plenty more to come.” Lyon said in a video on X.
Before Ravichandran Ashwin, Nathan Lyon was the latest to complete 500 Test wickets during the first Test in Perth against Pakistan last year. Interestingly, Ashwin and Lyon made their Test debuts for India and Australia, respectively in 2011. Currently, two spin bowling greats are among the five spinners to take 500 wickets in Test Cricket history.
Ashwin three wickets away from completing 350 scalps on home soil
Following completion of 500 wickets in Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin is set to achieve another Indian record in the ongoing Test series against England. Ashwin is just three wickets away from completing 350 wickets on Indian soil.
The veteran off-spinner will be the second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to achieve this feat at home. Interestingly, Kumble had finished his career exactly on 350 wickets on home soil, meaning that Ashwin has a good chance to surpass Kumble's record to become the highest wicket-taker on Indian soil.
Muthiah Muralitharan is currently holds the record for the most wickets on home soil, with 439 scalps. This is followed by James Anderson and Stuart Broad with 434 and 398 wickets, respectively.
In home Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin has scalped 347 wickets, including 26 five-wicket hauls, at an average of 21.32 in 58 matches.
