On Day 2 of the third Test in Rajkot on Friday, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin of India became the fastest player in the history of the game to reach 500 Test wickets for his nation when he dismissed England’s Zak Crawley. In the second Test against Ben Stokes’ team at Vizag, Ashwin was only one wicket away from reaching the milestone, but he didn’t have to wait long to celebrate.

Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka holds the record overall, having amassed 500 Test wickets in 87 matches during his career. Before Ashwin overtook him, Kumble held the record for India with 105 matches.

After reaching the milestone in his 97th Test match, Ashwin is only the ninth bowler in the history of the traditional format to take 500 wickets overall.

In addition, Ashwin is currently the second-highest wicket-taker for India behind Kumble, who finished his career with 619 scalps. Kumble is the only other off-spinner to have accomplished the feat.

On the second day of the current Test, the 37-year-old achieved the milestone. Zak Crawley, the opener, misplayed a sweep and Rajat Patidar was there to catch it at short fine leg, giving him the one wicket he needed to accomplish the feat.India had earlier been bowled out for 445 in their opening innings.

The two other off-spinners to reach the 500-wicket threshold are Nathan Lyon of Australia (517) and retired great Muttiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka (800). Lyon achieved this feat the previous year.

Since making his Test debut in 2011, Ashwin has advanced significantly. The Chennai-born engineering graduate began his career as a top-order batsman and also attempted medium-pace bowling before deciding to become an off-spinner due to a back injury he sustained as a teenager.