Birthday special: R Ashwin – 5 Best spells in Test cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best off-spinners to have played the game and his numbers are exceptional in the longer format. He runs through the opposition’s batting order when it comes to home conditions and is one of the best masterminds. With 489 wickets in 94 Tests at an average of 23.6, Ashwin has had a great impact in the longer format since his international debut in 2010. He turns 37 today (September 17) and here are the five best spells from Ashwin in Test cricket.

6 for 41 vs Australia, 2017

In the second Test in Bengaluru in 2017, Australia was chasing 188 in the fourth innings to win the Test, and it was Ashwin’s spell that changed the course of the game for India. The off-spinner finished with 6 for 31 in his 12.4 overs with 4 maidens and ended the Test with 8 wickets to his name.

6 for 31 vs New Zealand, 2012

In the first Test in Hyderabad in 2012, Ashwin had a fantastic outing as he scored 37 in the first innings. He took the confidence into the bowling as he picked up 6 for 31 to bundle up New Zealand for just 159 in the first innings. In the second innings, the Kiwis followed on and yet again they could not find answers to his bowling as he picked up 6 for 54 in the second innings.

7 for 83 vs West Indies, 2016

One of the rare away Tests that Ashwin excelled was in the 2016 tour of West Indies in North Sound. The off spinner scored a magnificent century in the first innings and picked up 7 for 83 in the second innings of the West Indies to win the Test by an innings and 92 runs.

7 for 66 vs South Africa, 2015

Ashwin yet again proved why he is rated highly in Test cricket with a breathtaking spell against South Africa in Nagpur in 2015. The lanky spinner picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings and followed it up with 7 for 66 in the second innings to wrap up the Test for India.

7 for 59 vs New Zealand, 2016

In the third Test in Indore in 2016 against New Zealand, India thoroughly dominated in both batting and bowling departments. Ashwin picked up 6 for 81 in the first innings, and followed it up with 7 for 59 in the second innings to end up with extraordinary match haul figures of 13 for 140 in the Test.