Ashwin becomes 4th fastest to complete 2000 Test runs and 200 wickets

India's premium Test all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin once again showed his brilliance with the bat on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka here on Friday

The right-handed batsman slammed his second consecutive fifty in the series as he notched up his 11th Test fifty and became only fourth batsman in Indian history to reach the Test double of 2000 runs and 200 wickets.

The Tamil Nadu cricketer took just 51 Tests to get to 2000 runs in Tests and claim 200-plus wickets and entered the elite club of greats like Ian Botham (42 Tests), Kapil Dev (50) and Imran Khan (50).

Ashwin also became the fourth Indian to cross 2000 runs and 200 wickets in the longer format of the game.The 30-year-old came in to bat at No. 6 and completed his fifty with a six off Rangana Herath but was unfortunately dismissed by the Sri Lankan spinner on the very next ball. His 92-ball knock included five boundaries and a six.

Earlier last year, the off-spinner became the fastest Asian to claim 200 Test wickets in his 37th appearance and surpassed the record created by former Pakistan legend Waqar Younis (38 Tests).

Ashwin would have equalled Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett's record of 200 wickets in 36 Tests but rain played spoilsport during India's final Test against West Indies.