NUMBERS GAME

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN JOINS 400-WICKET CLUB IN TESTS:

Ravichandran Ashwin became the fourth Indian and 16th bowler overall to claim 400 wickets in Tests. The off-spinner from Chennai reached this milestone by dismissing Jofra Archer, leg before, in England’s second innings on the second day of the third Test macth at Ahmedabad on Thursday (February 25).

By achieving this feat in his

77th Test match, he is the second fastest after Sri Lankan Muttiah Muraliatharan who took his 400th wicket in his 72nd Test match.

Anil Kumble (619 wickets in 132 Tests), Kapil Dev (434 wickets in 131 Tests) and Harbhajan Singh (417 wickets in 103 Tests) are the other Indians to t ake 400 wickets before Ravichandran Ashwin.

Joe Root recorded his best bowling performance by taking five wickets for eight runs in India’s first innings. It was first time England skipper has taken five-wicket haul with his off breaks in any type of the game. His previous best in Tests was four for

87 against South Africa at Port Elizabeth in 2019-20.

India slumped to their joint sixth lowest total against England at home by bowling out for 145 in 53.2 overs. India’s lowest against

England at home is 83 in 38.5 overs at Chennai in 1976-77.

Jonny Bairstow became the eighth England batsman to receive ducks in the both innings of a Test match against India. He is only fifth England batsman to achieve this ‘unwanted’ feat on Indian soil.

England were bundled out for 81 runs in 30.4 overs. It was first time when England were dismissed under 100 against India in Tests. Their previous lowest against India was 101 in 45.1 overs at The Oval in 1971.

Axar Patel became the fourth Indian bowler to take

11 or more wickets in a Test match against England. His match figures of 11 for 70 is the fourth best for India against England.

VISHNU KARTHIK,

TDirector, The Heritage he lockdown was a blessing in disguise, for despite my best efforts, I was mostly a weekend father before the lockdown. During the lockdown, I was part of my daughter Meera’s daily mundane, everyday routines. And these daily routines were a window into her beautiful magical world and an opportunity to connect with her at an existential level.