On the first day of the first Test in Dominica, experienced Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin created a web around the West Indies team and earned his 33rd five-wicket haul in Tests. The spinner from Chennai is making a sort of comeback after being excluded from India’s starting XI for their WTC final versus Australia a month ago in London. With his exceptional bowling performance in this game, Ashwin demonstrated his talent.
After deciding that they would bat first, West Indies was able to get off to a strong start because to the opening partnership of Kraigg Brathwaite (20) as well as Tagenarine Chanderpaul (12), which resulted in a 31-run opening stand and eliminated the threat of the new ball. In the 13th over, Ashwin broke the partnership to let the floodgates open. Chanderpaul was cleaned up by the off-spinner with the last delivery of the 13th over.
After playing an unattractive shot versus the same bowler, Brathwaite also accompanied his opening partner into the pavilion. Alick Athanaze notched up an elegant 47 who was making his debut stabilised the inning by setting up at one end as the batters from the other end continued to take rash shots to go to the pavilion.
In the 55th over, the debutant lost patience as well and left after a mistimed slog, handing Ashwin yet another wicket. After that, Rakheem Cornwall made 19* as he assisted West Indies in reaching 150 before Jomel Warrican was caught by Ravichandran Ashwin in the 65th over, effectively ending the innings. Shardul Thakur as well as Mohammed Siraj each took one wicket, leaving Ravindra Jadeja with three total wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin in the elite club
On the first day of the first Test versus the West Indies in Dominica, the top-ranked Test bowler in the world hit a significant milestone. Ravichandran Ashwin, who had just taken his third wicket, eliminated Alzarri Joseph to become the third Indian spinner to reach 700 international victories.
The only two Indian bowlers with more wickets than Ravichandran Ashwin (702 wickets) are Harbhajan Singh (707 wickets) as well as Anil Kumble (953 wickets). He can very well cross Harbhajan Singh’s tally in this series itself if he keeps up his superb form with the ball.
Fans react as Ravichandran Ashwin claims fifer in 1st Test against West Indies:
RAVI ASHWIN PICKS UP HIS 33RD FIVE WICKET HAUL IN TEST CRICKET!
What a champion performance by a champion player. He's a beast, a true legend of the game. pic.twitter.com/kYMnihrRxn
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 12, 2023
He deserves more than Virat and Rohit to play on that WTC final squad
— Pawan Shukla (@Shukla8175) July 12, 2023
All of this just to warm the bench in WTC final in 2025?????
— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) July 12, 2023
Anna?? pic.twitter.com/9BYksvo2tP
— Naks..! (@oyenakss) July 12, 2023
What’s the use? He Will be on bench for all important matches.
— Nadimur Rahman (@Nadimur) July 13, 2023
Easy win for team India as westindies is playing without any passion.. only T20 series will be interesting.. As a cricket fan love watching India vs England, Australia, Newzealand, south Africa test series rest are boring in test cricket
— Deepak Jain ?? (@Dipsdj007) July 12, 2023
Still wonder how this test bowler made into playing XI in t20 wc 2022
— Mahesh Mania (@Raghavaanenenu) July 13, 2023
We all talk about fab 4 and other batters but bowlers never get their fair share of credit! Ashwin is a modern day great of the game and after Kohli he's been India's best cricketer over the past decade in terms of stats and impact.
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) July 12, 2023
Who doesn't get to play in the most important matches every 2 years. Shame.
— Ishu Khurana (@khuranaishu) July 12, 2023
Did not make the WTC final XI for India. Preposterous selection call.
— Launchpad Mcduck (@Launchpad_McDck) July 12, 2023
Select him for t20 wc, bench him in wtc ?
— Gupteswar (@Guptesw65975371) July 13, 2023
