Ashwin’s 150-test wickets fastest by an Indian

Ace offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin scripted history on Friday when he became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 150-Test wicket landmark – in his 29th Test – against South Africa in day two of the opening Test at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.

Ashwin, who finished with figures of 24-5-51-5, bamboozled the South African batsmen on a rank turner to give India a lead of 17 runs. South Africa were bundled up for 184 in reply to India’s 201.

Of his 150, Ashwin has taken 100 wickets on home soil followed by 21 apiece in Australia and Sri Lanka. The offie has also picked up five wickets in Bangladesh and three in England. Ashwin has played one wicketless Test in South Africa too.

Former England seamer Sydney Barnes was the fastest to pick 150 wickets as he achieved the feat in his 24th match followed by Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis (27) and Aussie legspinner Clarrie Grimmett (28).

Ashwin shared the feat with South African’s Hugh Tayfield and Dale Steyn, England’s Ian Botham and Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal.