Will Rohit Sharma bench Ravichandran Ashwin in Dharamsala denying him his 100th Test Cap? Indian Captain delivers a shocking update

Rohit Sharma has congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of his 100th Test for Team India. The veteran spinner is set to play his 100th Test when Team India locks horns against England in the fifth and final Test of the ongoing series.

The Tamil Nadu ace will become only the 14th Indian to represent the country in 100 Tests. Overall, he will become the 77 cricketer to achieve this incredible milestone.

Among active Indian cricketers, only three have played 100 Tests – Ishant Sharma (105), Virat Kohli (113) and Cheteshwar Pujara (103). One of India’s most decorated spinners of all time, Ravichandran Ashwin will also be the oldest Indian to play the 100th Test.

And ahead of the milestone game, captain Rohit Sharma congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin on the monumental feat. The India skipper also joked that the toss is still not done, jokingly hinting that the spinner’s participation in the fifth Test is not guaranteed as of now.

“It’s a big milestone. Ashwin has been a match-winner. If you see his performance every series he has a big contribution. I would like to congratulate him for achieving the 100th Test match landmark. Abhi toss hua nahi hai,” said Rohit Sharma with a smile on his face.

“I have played with him in under-16 and under-19 days. He was a batsman then. I was a bowler then. It feels good,” he added while addressing the media at the pre-match press conference.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Test career in numbers:

Ravichandran Ashwin has played 99 Tests so far and has picked up a staggering 507 wickets with the help of 35 five-wicket hauls. No Indian bowler has taken more five-wicket hauls than him in Tests. Overall, he is in the fourth spot behind Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Richard Hadlee. He needs three more five-wicket hauls to go past Warne at the second spot.

Last month, he became the fastest Indian to take 500 Test wickets, achieving the feat in the Rajkot Test against England. Only Muralitharan is ahead of him on the list of fastest to 500 wickets. He is also the quickest Indian to the milestone of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, and 450 wickets in Tests.

Ashwin has also made a mark with the bat in Tests. He has scored 3309 runs with the help of 5 centuries and 14 half-centuries in the longest format of the game.