Ravichandran Ashwin Overtakes Pat Cummins to Become Second Leading Wicket-Taker in World Test Championship
Ravichandran Ashwin, the masterful Indian off-spinner, continues to make headlines, this time by surpassing Australia’s Pat Cummins to become the second-leading wicket-taker in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC).
This achievement is another feather in the cap of Ashwin, who has been one of the pillars of India’s bowling attack in the longest format of the game for over a decade.As of the latest WTC cycle (2023-2025), Ashwin's wicket tally stands as a testament to his consistency, skill, and adaptability across various conditions and against diverse oppositions.
His rise to this milestone not only underscores his individual brilliance but also highlights the critical role he has played in India's dominance in Test cricket over the years.
The Road to Milestone
Ashwin’s journey in Test cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. Since his debut in 2011, he has become India's go-to spinner, excelling both in home conditions, where pitches typically favor spin, and in overseas venues, where spinners are often considered supplementary.
His recent climb in the WTC wicket-takers chart reaffirms his adaptability and intelligence on the field.Ashwin's ascendancy to second place came during the 2023-2025 WTC cycle, where he continued to pick up wickets at crucial intervals, often providing India with breakthroughs when the team needed them most. He overtook Australia’s Pat Cummins, who had previously held the second spot.
This achievement is significant as Cummins,
the Australian Test captain and pace spearhead, has been dominant in world cricket, excelling in both the WTC 2019-2021 cycle and in the ongoing one.The Hallmark of Ashwin’s BowlingAshwin’s bowling is not just about turning the ball sharply; it’s also about outthinking the batsmen.
His ability to vary his pace, flight, and line makes him a lethal bowler even on pitches that may not offer much assistance to spinners. His strategic use of the carrom ball and his mastery over traditional off-spin have bamboozled many world-class batters.
His tactical brilliance was particularly evident in his performance during India’s home series against top Test nations, where his control over length and accuracy made him nearly unplayable on turning tracks.
However, it is his recent performances in away tours that have truly elevated his standing among the greats. On pitches where seamers dominate, Ashwin has consistently found ways to remain effective, often providing breakthroughs with his subtle variations and remarkable cricketing intelligence.
Ashwin’s Contribution to India’s WTC Campaign
The World Test Championship, introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019, has added a new dimension to Test cricket, making every Test match more competitive and meaningful. India, under Virat Kohli and now Rohit Sharma, has been one of the top contenders in the WTC, largely due to the contributions of players like Ashwin.
In the WTC 2019-2021 cycle, Ashwin played a pivotal role, particularly in India's series victories over Australia and England. His exploits in the famous Gabba Test during India's tour of Australia and his incredible spells during England's tour of India ensured India’s place in the WTC Final. Though India finished runners-up in the inaugural WTC final, Ashwin’s 71 wickets across 14 matches in that cycle made him the leading wicket-taker.
In the ongoing WTC 2023-2025 cycle
, Ashwin has continued to be a crucial asset. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and adapt to varying conditions has kept him at the forefront of India’s bowling unit.
His rise to the second spot in the all-time WTC wicket-takers list is a reflection of his enduring class and longevity.
Looking Ahead
As Ravichandran Ashwin continues to add to his wicket tally, there is little doubt that he will remain a key figure in India’s future WTC campaigns. With Stuart Broad currently leading the list of all-time WTC wicket-takers, Ashwin has a realistic chance of closing the gap and even becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history.
Ashwin’s ability to reinvent himself, combined with his vast experience, ensures that he will remain a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. Whether it’s spinning webs around the opposition batsmen on subcontinental tracks or extracting whatever turn he can from seaming, bouncy pitches abroad, Ashwin’s place in the annals of Test cricket is already secured.
His recent overtaking of Pat Cummins is just another step in what promises to be a lasting legacy in the world of Test cricket.