Milestone man Ravichandran Ashwin plays pivotal role in India's Vizag victory, Check out more facts about the champion all rounder

Ravichandran Ashwin, the mercurial all rounder has been instrumental in yet another victory for the Indian team. 

As India demolished England in the Visakhapatnam Test by 246 runs, Ashwin displayed a tremendous all round performance to emerge as one of the architects of the win.

He scored a gritty 58 in the first innings along with taking 8 wickets in the match.

The Vizag test showered Ashwin with various records. 

The majestic offspinner got his 22nd five wicket haul and emulated all time greats Waqar Younis (Pakistan) and West Indians Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.

Also Read: Ind vs Eng second Test, day 5: India beat England by 246 runs, take 1- 0 series lead

Landmarks in Ashwin's career

As far as Indians are concerned, only spin legend Anil Kumble (35), Harbhajan Singh (25) and former captain Kapil Dev (23) have more five wicket hauls than Ashwin.

In the process, Ashwin also became the second Indian bowler after Harbhajan Singh to take 50 or more wickets in two consecutive years.

Whereas last year he had emerged as the highest wicket taker with 62 wickets at 17.20 runs apiece in 9 tests, in 2016 he has already surpassed 55 wickets in 9 tests. 

Overall, on the bowling front he has taken 231 wickets in just 41 tests at a majestic average of 24.64.

Also Read: India's Trioka who steered home side to victory at Vizag

All Round Performance

India had long been searching for an all rounder to emulate the charisma of Kapil Dev and Ashwin seems to have filled the void with 4 centuries and 8 half centuries in his 41 tests.

He has perfected the art of rallying with the lower order to take India out of precarious situations several times. 

During the New Zealand series, he had achieved the milestone of 200 wickets in just 37 Tests, becoming the fastest Indian and the second quickest bowler ever to reach the coveted landmark. 

Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin’s spin weaves a magical story of India’s win against NZ: Know ten things about the ace Indian all rounder