Two Australians overtake R Ashwin to create massive WTC record during BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Australia skipper Pat Cummins and off-spinner Nathan Lyon scripted history in the World Test Championship during Day 1 of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India on Friday, January 3. The duo eclipsed off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s record for the most wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC).

Lyon had Shubman Gill caught in the slip for 20 off 64 to go past Ashwin’s tally of 195 wickets. Later, Cummins took the wickets of Washington Sundar and his Indian counterpart Jasprit Bumrah to reach 197 wickets.

Most wickets in WTC cycles:

1. Pat Cummins – 197
2. Nathan Lyon – 196
3. R Ashwin – 195
4. Mitchell Starc – 165
5. Jasprit Bumrah – 155

Lyon had previously eclipsed Ashwin’s record of 537 Test scalps in the fourth game in Melbourne. The 37-year-old picked up three wickets in the match as Australia won by 184 runs to go 2-1 ahead in the five-game series.

Lyon also holds the record for most wickets in the BGT with 125 scalps in 31 Tests. Ashwin and former India captain Anil Kumble are second and third with 115 and 111 wickets, respectively. It's worth mentioning that Ashwin retired from international cricket after the third Test in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Cummins is closing in on 300 Test wickets after picking up 22 scalps in the BGT. He is only behind India skipper Jasprit Bumrah, who has picked up 31 wickets in the series.

Pat Cummins removes India’s tail as Australia bundle out visitors for 185 on Day 1

Pat Cummins dismissed the tail-enders as Australia bundled out India for 185 in the first innings of the Sydney Test. Scott Boland was the wreaker-in-chief with four scalps, while Mitchell Starc bagged three wickets. Rishabh Pant went out of his skin to score 40 off 98 balls, copping as many as 12 body blows. Washington Sundar and Bumrah chipped in with 20s.

At stumps on Day 1, the Aussies were 9/1 with Sam Konstas at the crease. Bumrah drew the first blood for the tourists, removing Usman Khawaja, who edged one straight into the hands of KL Rahul in slips.

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