Legendary India spinner Anil Kumble was amongst many former cricketers to congratulate Ravichandran Ashwin for playing 100 Test matches for India in Dharamsala. India is facing England in the fifth and final Test of their series at the HPCA Stadium.
Ashwin became the 14th Indian to achieve the feat, joining an elite list of Indian cricketers to have played 100 Test matches, following in the footsteps of Tendulkar (200), Rahul Dravid (163), VVS Laxman (134), Anil Kumble (132), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Dilip Vengsarkar (116), Sourav Ganguly (113), Virat Kohli (113), Ishant Sharma (105), Harbhajan Singh (103) and Cheteshwar Pujara (103).
Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Kumble called Ashwin a champion par excellence, while adding that he is proud of his achievements. Ashwin went past Kumble to become India’s leading wicket-taker in home Tests, while also breaching the 350-wicket mark in Tests at home.
“Congratulations on your 100 tests @ashwinravi99. Proud of all your achievements. Continue to win matches for India. A champion par excellence! Many more to come,” Kumble posted on ‘X’.
Former India batter VVS Laxman called Ashwin a remarkable cricketer, adding that 100 Tests is a hallmark of a true champion. Ashwin has claimed 507 wickets in 99 Tests, averaging 23.91, while claiming 35 five-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket hauls.
“A remarkable achievement by a remarkable cricketer. 100 Tests is a tribute to Ashwin’s passion, hunger, drive, pursuit of excellence and great endurance. To keep striving to get better is the hallmark of a true champion. Go well, Ash, have a wonderful game @ashwinravi99,” Laxman posted on ‘X’.
