Landmark milestone for Ravichandran Ashwin in Dharamsala

Ravichandran Ashwin joined an elite list of players with his 100th appearance in Test match cricket for India.

The off-spinner, who made his Test debut in 2011, completed 500 Test wickets in Rajkot, becoming only the second Indian to reach the landmark.

"The desire to excel hasn't changed, wanting to keep on evolving as a cricketer, that's something that's been organic to me right from my club cricket days in Chennai," Ashwin had said during the Rajkot Test after completing the milestone.

Ashwin recorded his 35th five-wicket haul in Test cricket in the Ranchi Test match, equalling Anil Kumble's record for the most five-fors by an Indian in Test cricket.

Ashwin also became only the second bowler after Muttiah Muralidaran to achieve 500 wickets in less than 100 Test matches. 

Since Ashwin made his Test debut in November 2011, only Nathan Lyon has claimed more wickets than him in the format, making him one of the most prolific modern-day Test bowlers.

With the latest achievement, Ashwin joins some elite Indian cricketers who have played over 100 Test matches. The last to achieve the milestone from India was Cheteshwar Pujara. 

Sachin Tendulkar, with 200 Test matches, holds the record for most appearances in the format internationally.