Virat Kohli-led India mauled England by an innings and 36 runs in the fourth Test at Wankhede Stadium to maintain a 3-0 series winning lead. With this win, the hosts have erased bitter memories of 2011, 2012 and 2014. A 25,000-crowd strong Wankhede crowd witnessed India end a losing streak against the Poms at this ground over an action-packed match. It should be noted that the visitors have won the last two Tests played here in 2006 and 2012.
While everyone was talking about Virat Kohli and his Bradmanesque exploits with the willow on the third and fourth day, Ashwin through his vicious turns helped India win a series against England after a long gap of eight years. During his lethal second innings spell of 6/55, the Chennai offie created and broke several records. Let’s take a look at some of them.
- Ashwin is second on the list with maximum ten-wicket hauls-7. Team India coach Anil Kumble leads the tally with eight instances.
- The off-spinner took his 24th five-wicket haul in the second innings of the fourth Test, thereby eclipsing former captain Kapil Dev’s record. Now, he is third behind Anil Kumble (35) and Harbhajan Singh (25).
- Ashwin’s match haul of 12 for 167 is the best for any Indian bowler at Wankhede Stadium. Legendary English all-rounder Ian Botham has the best figures here. He took 13 wickets for 108 runs in 1980.
- Most importantly, Ashwin has taken eight five-fors this year, which puts him in the second spot behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Malcolm Marshall who have taken nine fifers in a single year.
MUST WATCH – @sanjaymanjrekar explains @ashwinravi99‘s multiple variations https://t.co/rRRdlyxc0s #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/WQZQWQx6P3
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2016
- India have not lost a single match in the last 17 Tests. They have won 13 and lost four. West Indies top the tally with 27 matches in the 1980s.
- England lost their last five wickets for just 15 runs on the final day. It is only the second instance when they lost five wickets for fewer runs. In 2001, they had collapsed to 238 after being firm at 224 for five in Mohali. India won the match by ten wickets.
