Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his gratitude on social media, acknowledging his family, friends, coaches, and Tamil Nadu administrators as he achieved the milestone of claiming 500 wickets in Test cricket, becoming the second Indian bowler to do so.
In the third Test against England, Ashwin dismissed Zak Crawley for his 500th wicket in his 98th match, joining the elite club of nine bowlers accomplishing this feat. He is the third off-spinner after Muthiah Muralitharan and Nathan Lyon to achieve this milestone.
Ashwin took to Instagram on Sunday to extend his thanks to those who contributed significantly to his achievement. He reflected, “Success is the sum total of all those people who teach you the right lessons, who teach you the harsh lessons and luck. Luck plays a pivotal role in everyone’s lives, but I believe we make our own luck.”
He credited his parents, family, and friends as the driving force behind his fortune, stating, “My vehicle to luck has been the strong pillars at home my parents (Ravichandran & Chitra) wife @prithinarayanan, kids, and friends.” He also mentioned specific individuals such as Anil Kumble and others who played a role in his success.
Ashwin expressed his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) for commemorating March 16, 2024, as a memorable day in his life. He also thanked his former India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for his guidance and support, stating that he will remain indebted to him for life.