Kanpur: Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest Indian to pick up 200 wickets in Test cricket following his exploits in the first Test of the ongoing Test series versus New Zealand. In what is turning out to be a record-breaking year for India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the 30-year-old on Sunday surpassed legends Waqar Younis and Dennis Lillee to become the second fastest bowler to claim 200 Test wickets.

Ravi Ashwin, when he took the wicket of Kane Williamson, the captain of Kiwis became the fastest Indian and second fastest in the world to reach the milestone of picking up 200 wickets in Test cricket and joined the elite panel consisting of cricketing greats. Ashwin reached the milestone in only 37 Tests, faster than Harbhajan Singh who reached the same milestone in 46 Tests. Ashwin's feat is even better than Dennis Lillee. While he is the fastest Indian to get there, he is second in the world only next to Clarrie Grimmett, who picked up his 200th scalp in 36 Tests.

Ashwin has been in terrific form this year and is winning Indian matches not only with his exceptional bowling but also by batting exceptionally. Ashwin is also the most successful Test bowler at home in the last two tears, ahead for Jadeja and Amit Mishra. He has 35 scalps in last five Test matches in India, including 4 five-wicket hauls, at an average of 12.51.
In the recently concluded Test series against West Indies, he scored 235 runs with two centuries and picked up whooping 17 wickets to help India register their biggest ever Test series victory on the Caribbean soil.
Ashwin has been in terrific form this year and is winning India matches not only with his exceptional bowling but also by batting brilliantly. With his enthralling form now continuing in the ongoing series against New Zealand, one can say he should definitely take India to another series victory.