By U.B. Acharya

In the previous Test match against England, India’s Ashwin Ravichandran not only collected five wickets in the first innings but also scored a brilliant century in the second innings in the company of tail enders. His brilliant performance resulted in India registering a glorious victory thus equalling the series at 1-1. Naturally he was declared as the ‘Man of the Match’ with a trophy and a cash award of Rs. 1,00,000. While the trophy is for keeps, the prize money is usually shared equally among the team members!

For an all-rounder, this is indeed a unique feat. Looking at the statistics of cricket, one would note that a century and five wickets in an innings in a Test match have been accomplished by 23 players for a total of 33 times. Of these 23 players, six players namely Ian Botham of England (5 times), Ashwin Ravichandran of India (3 times) and Jacques Kallis of South Africa, Mushtak Mohammad of Pakistan, Shakib Al-Hassan of Bangladesh and Gary Sobers of West Indies have achieved this feat twice.

Of the three times Ashwin achieved this feat, he was responsible for India’s victory twice — in 2016 when India won against West Indies and now in 2021 against England. One of them in 2011 against West Indies was drawn. Of the remaining 17 players who have achieved this feat once each, two Indian players are involved. These two are Vinoo Mankad and Polly Umrigar respectively.

Mankad achieved this feat in 1952 against England at Lord’s ground with a massive 184 runs and a five wickets haul. Indian team was so weak then and in spite of this one-man show, India lost the match by 8 wickets. This match was rightly called ‘Mankad’s Test’ though we lost the match. In the case of Umrigar, this feat was achieved in Sabina Park in West Indies in 1953 and his feat helped India draw the match.

Among the other players who performed this feat, Wasim Akram’s feat in Australia against them in 1990s is note worthy. Richie Benaud the young Australian captain also did this feat in the 1950s.

Being a cricket enthusiast, as a young boy I had listened to the commentaries of Mankad’s and Umrigar’s match and now as a retired person have watched live commentary of all the three matches of Ashwin. Keep it up Ashwin and let India reach Rank No.1 in Test Cricket soon.