2015 India Vs South Africa First Test @ Mohali - Ravichandran Ashwin achieves rare feat after 105 years Friday Nov 06,2015

Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday Nov 06,2015 not only raced to the fastest 150 scalps in Indian Test history but also became the first man in over 100 years to bag 50 wickets after opening the bowling during the first Test against South Africa, in progress at Mohali.

Ashwin, who had taken 45 wickets when opening the Indian bowling in Tests in the past, picked up 5 for 51 in South Africa's first innings total of 184 after opening the attack with the new ball.

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 1319 runs.


The others who have done so are: Hugh Trumble of Australia, R Peel of England, G E (Joey) Palmer of Australia and Wilfred Rhodes of England.

Off spinner Trumble and Palmer were the only two right hand slow bowlers to achieve the feat.

In Ashwin's case, he did it in 12 matches, off 1888 balls and after conceding 1018 runs

Ashwin's 150-test wickets fastest by an Indian

Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin scripted history on Friday when he became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 150-Test wicket landmark - in his 29th Test - against South Africa in day two of the opening Test at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.

Ashwin, who finished with figures of 24-5-51-5, bamboozled the South African batsmen on a rank turner to give India a lead of 17 runs. South Africa were bundled up for 184 in reply to India's 201.

Of his 150, Ashwin has taken 100 wickets on home soil followed by 21 apiece in Australia and Sri Lanka;five wickets in Bangladesh and three in England.

Former England seamer Sydney Barnes was the fastest to pick 150 wickets as he achieved the feat in his 24th match followed by Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis (27) and Aussie legspinner Clarrie Grimmett (28).