5 Test centuries scored by Indian Bowlers

#1 Ravi Ashwin 103 vs West Indies, Mumbai, 2011

R.Ashwin has scored four Test centuries against West Indies

Starting off as an opening batsman for Tamilnadu in the age-group cricket, Ravi Ashwin later switched to bowling off-breaks for a living.

His bowling style suited perfectly to the spin-friendly Indian pitches and he soon became the spearhead bowler for India. His batting showed glimpses of his practiced defensive technique.

Ashwin’s Test debut occurred in the India-West Indies three-match Test series played in India in 2011. In his first Test at Delhi, Ashwin picked up nine wickets leading to an Indian win and was awarded the Man of the Match award on his debut. The third and last Test was scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

On the placid track of Mumbai, West Indies batting first raised a huge total of 590 in their first innings. In reply, the Indian batting stood strong on the back of Sachin Tendulkar (94) and Rahul Dravid (82). When Ashwin came out to bat, India were 331/6, still trailing by 259 runs.

Playing with dogged resistance, Ashwin first supported Virat Kohli and subsequently led the batting charge after Virat’s dismissal.

Ashwin’s 103 with 15 boundaries and two sixes helped India to concede only 108 runs trail. He played a crucial role in the second innings too by ensuring a draw with India nine wickets down at one stage.

After this century, R. Ashwin has added three more Test centuries in his batting record. Incidentally, all four are against West Indies.