Ravichandran Ashwin dismisses father and son in Test to join an elite club
Ashwin now has 33 fifers in Test Cricket. (Photo: BCCI/DailyO)
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin etches his name in cricketing history, achieving a remarkable milestone during the opening day (July 12) of the first Test against the West Indies at Windsor Park, Dominica. The seasoned bowler, who made his Test debut in 2011, showcased his brilliance by dismissing Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of his previous scalp, Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Thus, Ashwin becomes only the fifth bowler worldwide to achieve the rare distinction of dismissing both father and son in his illustrious career.
At the end of the first day, visitors dominate as Ashwin shines with fifer, and Jadeja takes three. West Indies collapse for 150. Indian openers were solid at 80/0. Hosts are to face a tough day ahead on Day 2.
That's Stumps on Day 1 of the opening #WIvIND Test!#TeamIndia move to 80/0, with captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal making a fine start.
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 12, 2023
We will be back tomorrow for Day 2 action!
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/FWI05P4Bnd pic.twitter.com/aksOAvowGc
A decade back
Ashwin's remarkable journey began over a decade ago when he made his Test debut (2011) against West Indies in New Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium (now, Arun Jaitley Stadium). In a memorable second innings of that match, Ashwin trapped the accomplished Shivnarine Chanderpaul plumb in front, marking the beginning of an extraordinary chapter in his cricketing career.
Tagenarine, the latest victim
Fast forward 12 years, and Ashwin, armed with an impressive record of 474 Test wickets, finds himself facing the younger Chanderpaul, Tagenarine.
The moment Ravi Ashwin created history!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 12, 2023
The first Indian to pick the wicket of father (Shivnarine) and son (Tagenarine) in Tests. pic.twitter.com/nvqXhLz0ze
Ashwin deceived Tagenarine with a perfectly pitched delivery in a magic display, securing India's first wicket. The ball tantalizingly drifted in, enticing Chanderpaul to defend, only to be beaten by Ashwin's masterful skill.
This extraordinary feat secures Ashwin's place in an exclusive club, with only four other bowlers having accomplished the same remarkable milestone.
Chanderpauls: a familiar name in the record books
Curiously, the Chanderpauls feature thrice in the list of father-and-son duos dismissed by the same bowler. Alongside Ashwin, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc and South Africa's off-spinner Simon Harmer are already up there, having both dismissed Shivnarine and Tagenarine in their respective careers.
Perhaps, it is Shivnarine Chanderpaul's remarkable longevity in the sport, retiring as late as 2015, that allowed for such intriguing coincidences, with his son making his Test debut just last year (2022).
Joining Botham and Akram
Ashwin now finds himself in the company, joining the ranks of English all-rounder Ian Botham and Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. These two legends achieved a similar feat, dismissing the father-son duo of Lance and Chris Cairns from New Zealand.
Bowlers to dismiss both father and son in Test cricket:
— Daya sagar (@DayaSagar95) July 12, 2023
Ian Botham - Lance and Chris Cairns
Wasim Akram - Lance and Chris Cairns
Mitchell Starc - Shivnarine and Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Simon Harmer - Shivnarine and Tagenarine Chanderpaul
R Ashwin - Shivnarine and Tagenarine
In the world of cricket, where records and milestones shape the narrative, Ravichandran Ashwin's remarkable achievement of dismissing both father and son stands as a testament to his exceptional skill, dedication, and longevity.
When and where to watch: 1st Test- July 12- 16, 2023 (07:30 PM IST onwards) On Jio Cinema (free), Fancode and Doordarshan (DD) Sports channel (select cable networks, not on DTH.)