R Ashwin Completes Unique Double Century As India Lord Over England In 2nd Test

Picture courtesy Twitter/BCCI

Chennai: After Rohit Sharma smashed a record 200th six in Tests on Indian soil on Saturday, it was Ravichandran Ashwin’s turn to achieve a unique ‘double century’ on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Chepauk MA Chidambaram Stadium here.

When the off-spinner dismissed last man Stuart Broad, Ashwin became the first bowler in the history of Test cricket to dismiss left-handed batsmen 200 times.

It was in the preceding series, against Australia, that Ashwin broke Sri Lankan legend Muthiah Muralitharan’s world record of dismissing left-handers 192 times.

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The 34-year-old spinner bagged his 29th five-wicket haul in an innings to bowl India into a commanding position. The home team skittled out England for 134 to earn a massive first-innings lead of 195. Then they scored 54 for 1 in the second innings for an overall lead of 249 runs, with three days still left in the match.

Ashwin has now claimed 266 wickets on Indian soil, and trails Anil Kumble (350) only.

Overall, the Chennai-based spinner has bagged 391 wickets in 76 Test matches.