Coach Rahul Dravid praised Ravichandran Ashwin for completing 100 tests in the fifth test between India and England
Dharamsala: On the eve of his 100th Test match, veteran Indian spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin received congratulations from head coach Rahul Dravid before the fifth and final Test match against England on Thursday.
This Thursday, at Dharamshala, is the fifth and final Test match between India and England. It is also Ashwin’s 100th Test match. With a best bowling average of 7/59, Ashwin has claimed 507 wickets at a 23.91 average in 99 Test matches so far. He has also claimed 35 five-wicket hauls. Counting five centuries and fourteen fifties, he amassed 3,309 runs at an average of 26.14 in 140 innings, making him one of the most successful all-rounders of the modern period.
Before the game, on the magnificent, snow-capped Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) grounds, Ashwin was given a unique cap to commemorate making his 100th Test appearance—a feat only 13 other Indians had achieved before him.
He is now a member of the elite group of Indian players who have played in 100 matches while wearing white clothing, along with Sachin Tendulkar (200 Tests), Rahul Dravid (163 Tests), VVS Laxman (134 Tests), Anil Kumble (132 Tests), Kapil Dev (131 Tests), Sunil Gavaskar (125 Tests), Dilip Vengesarkar (116 Tests), Saurav Ganguly and Virat Kohli (113 Tests), Ishant Sharma (105 Tests), Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag (103 Tests).
Prithi, Ashwin’s wife, and their kids were also there at the felicitation event. They were all very thrilled to witness the Indian icon earn this unique honor of playing a century of Tests for the Asian giants.
As they entered the field for the game, Ashwin’s teammates also gave him a special guard of respect after this.
The fifth and final Test between England and India took place on Thursday at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in Dharamsala. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first.
The series is already up 3-1 to India. England is battling for dignity, having lost their first series under the direction of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Stokes. There are still 12 ICC World Test Championship points up for grabs despite the series being settled. For England batsman Jonny Bairstow and Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, this is also their 100th Test match.
England (Playing XI): Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (w),
India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma (c).
