India’s record-breaking off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared his sketch drawn by a fan. He took to Instagram to share the sketch in which the fan congratulates him on becoming the fastest bowler to take 250 Test wickets during one-off Test against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. The fan used shades of tri-colour, the spoke, and a cricket ball with text reading ‘fastest 250’.
After discovering the sketch, Ashwin shared the story with the captain: “A fan made this, such fans make your journey worthwhile.” Ashwin surpassed the 36-year-old record of Australian legend Dennis Lillee, who took 250 Test wickets in his 48th Test, by making Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim his 250th scalp.
In 2016, Ashwin became the second-fastest to reach 200 Test wickets, missing the No.1 spot by a whisker. His next target will be to become the fastest to take 300 Test wickets. India have four Test matches to be played in their home season. Ashwin will look to capitalise and add as many scalps as he can to improve his wickets tally.
Ashwin was recently compared to Australian legend Sir Don Bradman in the bowling department by their former skipper Steve Waugh compared.
His services in the upcoming four-match Test series will be vital keeping in mind the subcontinent pitch conditions. The first Test is to be held on February 23 at Pune, whose surface is supposed to be low and slow. As the game progresses, the wicket will help the spinners and that’s when Ashwin comes into play. Until and unless the Pune pitch does not stay true to its nature, Ashwin will have a key role to play in the outcome of the game.
