England series: Chance for R Ashwin to become highest Test wicket-taker for 2nd year in a row

New Delhi, Nov 3: India's frontline spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be a force to reckon with during the upcoming 5-Test series against England.

Ind-Eng series schedule; Chance for Kohli to break Azharuddin's record

The 30-year-old off-spinner from Chennai will be India's key to success against England cricket team in the Test match starting November 9, at Rajkot.

The tall Tamil Nadu bowler, who captured 27-wicket-haul in the 3-Test series against New Zealand, will now be hoping to achieve another milestone.

With next five games scheduled to be held at spin-friendly Indian pitches, the No.1 bowler in the world has an opportunity to become the highest wicket-taker in Tests for second year in a row.

(ICC Test rankings: India, Ravichandran Ashwin retain No.1 spots)

With 57 wickets under his belt, Ashwin was the leading wicket-taker in the year 2015. He claimed 57 wickets in just 8 Tests. While in 2016, he already has 44 wickets to his name in 7 Tests. Ashwin is leading England's Stuart Broad, who has taken 40 wickets in 10 Tests, this year.

Chris Woakes (38), Rangana Herath (37) and James Anderson (37) follow Ashwin and Broad in the list. With 3 English bowlers in the contention the contest between Ashwin and others is expected to be an exciting one.

(R Ashwin becomes fastest Indian bowler to claim 200 Test wickets)

But looking at the red hot form that Ashwin is in, and the added advantage of playing on home pitches, there is a high probability of him leaving others way behind and ending this year at a new high.

Ashwin has become an indispensible asset in the Virat Kohli-led Indian Test side which is sitting comfortably at the top of the table in ICC rankings.

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