In the grand setting of the HPCA stadium in Dharamshala, Ravichandran Ashwin’s monumental 100th Test match became an emotional affair as he received a heartfelt standing ovation from his wife Prithi Ashwin and two daughters after clinching another 5-wicket haul against England. This achievement adds an extra layer of significance to Ashwin’s exceptional career milestone.
The veteran off-spinner’s stellar performance in the ongoing match has propelled India into a dominant position, paving the way for a series victory with a commanding 4-1 scoreline. Ashwin, with 9 wickets in the fifth Test, stands on the cusp of completing his ninth 10-wicket haul in Test cricket.
— Kirkit Expert (@expert42983) March 9, 2024
The defining moment leading to Ashwin’s five-for in the third innings was a classic off-break delivery that left England’s wicket-keeper-batsman, Ben Foakes, utterly baffled. Attempting a slog sweep, Foakes misjudged the turning ball, leaving his stumps illuminated behind him. Foakes’ dismissal triggered a rapid collapse for England, bringing them perilously close to another innings defeat.
ALSO READ: Team India’s Clinical Triumph Seals Series Win: Twitter Reacts To Dominance
Despite Ben Stokes’ team aiming to set a target for India, they find themselves struggling to erase the deficit. At the crease, Joe Root, the resilient number 4 batter, who showcased his century prowess in the previous Test at Ranchi, is joined by Shoaib Bashir. Root, having completed a fifty, now faces the monumental task of shouldering England’s hopes, attempting to narrow the gap and set a competitive target.
However, the Indian bowlers, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, are relentless in their pursuit of the final two wickets. Kuldeep Yadav, India’s sole wrist spinner, has contributed with one wicket in the third innings after a much-celebrated five-for in the first innings.
With his latest 5-wicket haul, Ashwin is poised to conclude the Anthony De Mello Trophy series as the leading wicket-taker. The prospect of Tom Hartley making a significant impact in the Test match looks bleak, as Ashwin now boasts 26 scalps in the series, four more than his English counterpart.
ALSO READ: Mark Waugh Criticizes Alastair Cook’s Explanation for England’s Struggles in India
Debates around the player of the series title may arise, with many arguing in favor of Ashwin for his exceptional bowling performances. However, the spotlight is expected to shine on Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has had a phenomenal debut home Test series against England. Jaiswal’s remarkable tally of 712 runs from 9 innings, featuring two double centuries, solidifies his position as a rising star in Indian Test cricket, bouncing back from a challenging outing in South Africa.
