Ravichandran Ashwin turned out to be the only bright spot for India in their forgettable outing so far in the fourth and final Test against Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The top-ranked Test bowler Ashwin clinched his 32nd five-wicket haul in Test cricket with the dismissal of Todd Murphy in the post tea session on the second day.
In the process, Ashwin went past legendary Anil Kumble’s record of 25 five-wicket hauls at home. The off spinner went on to take his sixth wicket in the form of Nathan Lyon as Australia bowled out for a massive 480 in their first innings.
Ashwin also became the leading wicket-taker for India against Australia and shares the joint-leading wicket-taker spot with Nathan Lyon in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 113 wickets.
This is Ashwin’s second five-wicket-haul of the series after he took 5/37 to help India register an innings win over Australia in the first Test at Nagpur.
Ashwin is now behind legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s 45 five-wicket haul at home.
After a barren morning session, Ashwin dismissed Cameron Green and Alex Carey (0) in a space of four balls, before getting rid of Mitchell Starc (6).
Usman Khawaja top scored for the tourists with a majestic 180, while Cameron Green (114) registered his maiden Test hundred.