India’s off-spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin was turning 38 on 17 September. The Indian cricket team, currently training in Chennai ahead of the forthcoming home Test series against Bangladesh, didn’t mind taking time to make the day memorable as well. The team congregated in the dressing room to congratulate Ashwin on his special day.
During the cake-cutting ceremony, his mates did not waste even a moment to smear cake on his face, making the moment a fun-filled and joyful scene. Images of the hilarious celebration were immediately forwarded onto the internet, and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav were quite upfront in that.
Both of the stars shared the viral images on their social media capturing the playful chaos of the moment. As Ashwin sliced the chocolate cake, the Indian side began to sing a birthday song with many good wishes. Pant, known for his wayward nature, started the cake-smashing spree; it did not take long before everyone joined the laughter and fun.
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It is the first time that Pant and Ashwin have witnessed camaraderie since joining the team in 2018. Talking about Ashwin, he first played Test cricket for India way back in November 2011 against West Indies.
Birthday celebration of Ravi Ashwin in Team India’s dressing room.🎂❤️ pic.twitter.com/fsL2BC4Cpg
— Jaipal Abhishek singh (@JaipalabhishekS) September 17, 2024
Birthday celebrations of Ravi Ashwin with Team India in the dressing room. ❤️
– A beautiful picture. 👌 pic.twitter.com/4Zl5RLFvUl
— Cricket addicted 🏏🇮🇳 (@VikashJ13660845) September 17, 2024
Ashwin soon became the backbone of Indian cricket by picking over 500 wickets alone in the Tests and above 700 in international formats. These stats include bagging the record of being the fastest Indian bowler to reach 100 Test wickets at just 18 matches. He is currently the world’s ninth-best Test wicket-taker, while Anil Kumble of India is the only other spinner to reach ahead of him in the log.
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Ravichandran Ashwin returns to international duty in his hometown and prepares for the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 19. With 22 more wickets, he will lead Kumble into the record books as the spinner with most Test wickets on Indian soil record he will undoubtedly be eyeing as India kicks off their World Test Championship campaign against the Bangla Tigers.
Ash Anna, as he is lovingly known, will be hoping to start the series with a bang.
