Ravichandran Ashwin achieves rare feat, becomes quickest to reach 300 Test wickets

India premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Monday became the fastest bowler in the history of Test cricket to take 300 wickets.

The 31-year-old, who bagged eight wickets in the second encounter against Sri Lanka in Nagpur achieved this feat in 54 matches, surpassing the record of Australia's Dennis Lillee, who achieved the milestone in 56 Tests.

Sri Lanka lower-order batsman Lahiru Gamage was Ashwin's 300th scalp. 

"I really hope I can go on to double these 300 wickets, I have only played 50 Tests. It is not easy bowling spin, it looks like you are just ambling up," the Tamil Nadu player said on achieving the milestone after the match. 

"But there is a lot behind it. We have bowled a lot of overs, me and Jaddu (Jadeja). And the break has helped, I am a lot more fresher now comparatively," Ashwin added. 

Ashwin has a bowling average of 25.30 in Tests with an economy of 2.88.

He made his debut against the West Indies at Delhi in November 2011.

His best figures of 13 wickets for 140 runs came against New Zealand at Indore last year.

On Monday, India defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs in the second Test match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

This is India’s biggest margin of victory in Tests, equalling the record achieved earlier against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2007.

Beginning the day 384 runs behind and needing to bat about five sessions in the fourth innings to save the Test, Sri Lanka failed to handle the pressure and were bundled out for 166 in just 49.3 overs.

Ashwin took four wickets while two wickets each were snared by Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma.

Ashwin is the eighth spin bowler and 31st overall to take 300 wickets in Tests.

(With IANS inputs)