R Ashwin put in a stellar all-round performance against Bangladesh in the Chennai Test. But as far as his bowling goes, could Ashwin overtake Anil Kumble to become India's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket?
In the first innings against Bangladesh, Ashwin walked in to bat on his home ground with India 144-6 and under the pump. From there, he put on a match-turning 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, scoring his sixth Test ton along the way.
While he went wicketless the first time India bowled, Ashwin showcased his bag of tricks the second time around. He took four of the first five wickets to fall, and finished with 6-88 to achieve, for the fourth time in his career, the double of a five-for and a century in the same Test.
How does Ashwin stack up against Anil Kumble?
Playing his 101st Test, Ashwin's six-for took his wickets tally to 522 in Test cricket. The only other bowler to have taken 500 Test wickets for India is former skipper Anil Kumble, who took a staggering total of 619 scalps. Could Ashwin catch Kumble? And how long might it take him to do so?
First, here is a look at their careers so far.
Ashwin and Kumble were running on similar trajectories for the first 20 or so matches of their careers. In fact, after 22 Tests each, Kumble had taken 108 wickets, and Ashwin 109. But after that point, their paths began to diverge as Ashwin pulled ahead.
Ashwin has been helped over the last decade or so by India often preparing tracks suited to spinners, whereas Kumble often played on flat wickets at home. In addition, Kumble played a good deal of Test matches overseas, something which Ashwin has not done very often.
Read more: Ashwin equals Warne: List of bowlers with most five-fors in Test cricket
Beyond these reasons though, the fact remains that for the majority of his career, Ashwin has been a more prolific wicket-taker than Kumble. By the mark of 50 Tests apiece, Kumble's tally was 220 wickets, and Ashwin's 279. By their 75th Tests, this gap had narrowed to 40, but still 386-346 in favour of Ashwin.
After 101 Tests, Kumble had 487 wickets. Ashwin currently has 522, at 5.17 per match. At this rate, Ashwin could go past Kumble in his 120th Test, 19 from now.
How many Tests could Ashwin play?
India have nine Tests remaining in this calendar year – one more against Bangladesh, three at home against New Zealand and five away against Australia. They will likely play the WTC final in June 2025 in England, before a five-Test series in the country.
According to the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), India will then play four more home Tests; two each against West Indies and South Africa. This makes a total of 18 Test matches until November 2025 which could be enough for Ashwin if he plays all of them.
But there are a couple of snags. If Ravindra Jadeja is available, Ashwin's opportunities outside Asia become limited. India will often play just one spinner in pace-friendly conditions, and that is usually Jadeja thanks to his superior batting. Therefore, considering just Tests in Asia means Ashwin has only seven left in the next 14 months.
Looking past that, India play Afghanistan at home (1 Test) and Sri Lanka away (3 Tests) in mid-2026. That is another three Ashwin is likely to play. January 2027 then becomes a vital time for him, as Australia come to India for five Test matches, the last series scheduled in the FTP.
This makes a total of 16 Test matches in Asia for Ashwin to play, until the beginning of 2027. In case of injury or workload management, he may get a few overseas Tests as well. But in order to overtake Kumble, Ashwin will have to perform slightly better than his career average thus far. This should not be a problem, as his performances have remained consistent even at his age.
What are the stumbling blocks for Ashwin?
The more pertinent question is, will his body allow him to get that far?
Ashwin has never been the most naturally fit cricketer, and has had the occasional injury. Generally, he can be relied upon to stay fit. It may also help that he does not play white-ball cricket for India. But he has just turned 38 years old. Kumble retired roughly two weeks after his 38th birthday and while it is fairly clear Ashwin will not be done that early, he will be nearing 41 by mid-2027.
Also read: Five things we learned from India's Chennai crushing of Bangladesh
As far as performance goes, it could take just about two years for Ashwin to overtake Kumble. The biggest stumbling block could be his own body, or his board, if the BCCI decide it best to close the chapter on Ashwin after the conclusion of the current World Test Championship cycle, especially in case India win the title.
For the time being, it's best not to look too far ahead. His fitness might have to be managed more carefully, but if that is done efficiently and successfully, 2027 could have a special moment in store for Ashwin.
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