IS RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN INDIA'S GREATEST MATCHWINNER AT HOME WITH THE BALL?

In his overall Test career, Ashwin has picked up 457 wickets in 89 matches at an average of 24.05, with 31 five-wicket hauls and seven 10-wicket match hauls. Fifty-two of his 89 Tests...

- Renin Wilben

Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin delivered the goods for the team in yet another Test match at home. After playing a supporting role to left-arm spinner and comeback man Ravindra Jadeja with three wickets in the first innings against Australia in Nagpur, Ashwin was at his destructive best in the second innings, registering figures of 5/37 in 12 overs as Australia were bundled out for 91 in 32.3 overs. Australia’s worst fears came true as they went down in the match by an innings and 132 runs inside three days. During the course of his performance, Ashwin became the fastest Indian to claim 450 Test wickets and the second fastest ever, after Muttiah Muralitharan. While Ashwin has done reasonably well in overseas conditions, he has an incredible record at home, arguably one of the finest ever. Over the years, a number of legends, from Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble to Harbhajan Singh, have come up with stellar performances at home, almost singlehandedly winning games for India. In the wake of Ashwin’s latest exploits, we analyze if he can be considered India’s greatest match-winner at home with the ball in Test matches.

ASHWIN’S INCREDIBLE HOME RECORD