Ravichandran Ashwin once again proved why he is one of the most skilled spinners in the world by claiming his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. This remarkable feat came during India’s comprehensive 280-run win over Bangladesh in Chennai, taking Ashwin to the second spot for the most five-wicket hauls in Test history, alongside the legendary Shane Warne.
Ashwin is now only behind Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who maintains an incredible lead at the top. He has 30 more fifers than the second-placed Ashwin.
Here’s the list of players with highest fifers in Test history:
- Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 67
- Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 37
- Shane Warne (Australia) – 37
- Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) – 36
- Anil Kumble (India) – 35
Key Performance Stats:
- Matches: 101
- Wickets: 522
- 5-Wicket Hauls: 37
- Best Figures: 7/59
- Economy Rate: 2.81
Ashwin’s 6-wicket spell in the second innings decimated Bangladesh’s batting lineup, including the pivotal wicket of Shakib Al Hasan. This latest five-wicket haul places Ashwin behind only Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, who holds the record with 67 five-wicket hauls.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s rise to greatness has been nothing short of remarkable. In his 101 Test matches, Ashwin has claimed 522 wickets, including an outstanding 37 five-wicket hauls. His ability to take control of a match with the ball has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest off-spinners in the history of the game. His economy rate of 2.81 shows not only his knack for taking wickets but also his skill in keeping the pressure on batsmen.
Ashwin’s dominance peaked in 2016, a year when his bowling reached another level. He recorded an incredible 8 five-wicket hauls, proving to be unplayable for most teams. This was the year when Ashwin made a statement—he wasn’t just a home specialist; he was a world-class spinner ready to perform in any conditions. But this wasn’t a one-off. Throughout the years, from his early career in 2012, where he claimed 2 five-wicket hauls, to his recent resurgence in 2022 and 2023, with 3 five-wicket hauls each year, Ashwin has shown he has the longevity to continue performing at the highest level. After a slight dip in 2018, where he took only 1 five-wicket haul, Ashwin bounced back stronger than ever.
The distribution of Ashwin’s five-wicket hauls across teams tells a powerful story. His biggest successes have come against some of the toughest sides. He has tormented England, taking 9 five-wicket hauls against them, proving himself as one of their biggest threats whenever they face India. Australia has also struggled to handle his guile, with Ashwin claiming 7 five-wicket hauls against them. Even outside the major Test nations, teams like West Indies and New Zealand have fallen victim to his spin wizardry, with Ashwin claiming 6 and 5 hauls against them, respectively. This versatility across different teams and conditions shows that Ashwin is not a spinner who thrives only on Indian pitches—he can be devastating anywhere.
What makes Ashwin’s contribution even more valuable is how often his five-wicket hauls have translated into victories for India. A staggering 83.9% of his five-wicket performances have led to India’s success, showing that when Ashwin is at his best, India is almost unbeatable. Only 5.4% of his hauls have come in losses, highlighting just how rarely his brilliant spells have gone unrewarded. The rest—10.8%—came in drawn matches, often closely fought contests where his efforts nearly secured victory for India.
Ashwin’s consistency over the years is evident from the 37 five-wicket hauls he has collected across various conditions. His best year came in 2016, where he secured a staggering 8 five-wicket hauls, dominating both at home and abroad. Throughout his career, Ashwin has showcased his ability to adapt and excel against different teams, with his most significant success coming against England and Australia
Former cricketers and commentators have often spoken about Ashwin’s genius. Shane Warne himself once remarked that Ashwin’s understanding of the game is “second to none,” acknowledging his tactical intelligence and ability to out-think batsmen.
Ashwin’s success is not limited to one region. His record-breaking performances have come against a wide variety of teams, with his most notable achievements against England (9 five-wicket hauls) and Australia (8 five-wicket hauls). This diversity in success across different conditions further cements his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.