R Ashwin has unlocked a new milestone in his 100th Test match as he holds the record of taking the most number of five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. As India dominated the visitors on Day 3 of the final Test match against England in Dharamshala, Ashwin's family cheered for him as he took his fifth wicket.
The off-spinner also became the first player to pick a fifer on debut as well as on his 100th Test. He has taken 36 5-wicket hauls in Test cricket as of now.
Ashwin wrecked England's top order with a three-wicket burst on day three of the contest and the tourists were staring at their fourth defeat in the series. England captain Ben Stokes fell on the stroke of lunch with the tourists still 156 runs behind.
Joe Root was batting on 34 but England's lower order will have to bat out of their skin to deny India an innings victory at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
Earlier resuming on 473-8, India could add only four runs before losing their last two wickets. England warhorse James Anderson became the first fast bowler to claim 700 test wickets when he dismissed Kuldeep Yadav (30) caught behind.
India harnessed Ashwin with Jasprit Bumrah for new ball duties, and the off-spinner bowled Ben Duckett (two) in his first over. The opener had charged so far down the track that he would have been stumped even if he had not bowled.
Ashwin struck again in this third over, dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck. Crawley, England's leading scorer in the series, could only turn the ball to Sarfaraz Khan at backward short leg.
First Published: Mar 9, 2024 1:58 PM IST
