I'd like to dedicate this feat to my father – Ravichandran Ashwin on his 500 Test wickets milestone

It was a busy and a very special day in office for Ravichandran Ashwin, who accounted for his 500th Test wicket, a feat that came on the back of a decade of persistence and brilliance. However, it wasn’t just his bowling that grabbed the limelight of the day. He knitted together a crucial stand with Dhruv Jurel in the earlier half of the day to help India post a monumental 445.

It was the prized scalp of Zak Crawley, who nicked one to Rajat Patidar that made Ashwin a member of the elite 500-wicket club in Test cricket. He opened at length about the feat, underlining what a journey it has been for the ace spinner.

Talking at the end of day’s play, Ashwin said, “It's been quite a long journey. Firstly I'd like to dedicate this feat to my father. He's been with me through thick and thin, probably had a heart-attack every time he's watched me play. His health has probably gone for a toss because of that. England are showing a lot of intent, playing like they would in an ODI or T20 game.”

He concluded by saying, “Given us a lot to think about, we have to keep doing what we're doing and hope that one goes to hand. The surfaces we've played on in this series has allowed the batters time on the first three days. Expect this pitch to get hard on Day 5. We need to exercise discipline, England have been in such positions before. I think the game is in the balance, they’re putting us under pressure but it's important we stay composed and stay in the game.”