Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin not only raced to the fastest 150 scalps in Indian Test history but also became Friday the first man in over 100 years to bag 50 wickets after opening the bowling during the first cricket Test against South Africa, in progress at Mohali. Prior to this game, he had picked up 45 wickets while opening the bowling for India. He ended with five wickets in the South African first innings.
According to senior cricket statistician, R Gopalakrishna, the last man to do so was left arm orthodox slow bowler Colin Blythe of England who did it between 1902 and 1910 when he picked up 74 wickets in 13 Tests for 1,319 runs. The other spinners to have achieved such a feat are Hugh Trumble (Australia) and Wilfred Rhodes (England).
Ashwin reached the distinction in 12 matches, off 1,888 balls and after conceding 1018 runs.
Ashwin also reached 150 wickets in 29 Tests beating the erstwhile record of EAS Prasanna and Anil Kumble both of whom achieved the distinction in 34 Tests while Harbhajan Singh did so in 35 Tests.
