In a landmark achievement that etches his name forever in the cricket hall of fame, Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday joined the elite circle of bowlers with 500 Test wickets, becoming only the second Indian after the legendary Anil Kumble to reach this milestone.

The only other off-spinners who have touched the 500 wickets mark are retired Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralidaran (800) and Australia's Nathan Lyon (517), who did it last year. Overall, Ashwin is only the ninth bowler to take 500 wickets in the traditional format, scaling the landmark in his 97th Test.

Ashwin's achievement places him in a unique position among his peers, particularly highlighting his rivalry and camaraderie with Australia's Nathan Lyon. Both off-spinners have paralleled careers, with Lyon also recently surpassing the 500-wicket mark. Their mutual respect and recognition of each other's achievements underscore the fraternity among cricketers, even as they compete on the world stage. Ashwin's acknowledgment of Lyon's congratulatory message further exemplifies the sportsmanship and mutual admiration that transcends national rivalries.

The milestone moment arrived on day two of the ongoing Test when Ashwin, needing just one wicket to join the 500 club, dismissed England's opener Zak Crawley. This wicket not only marked a personal achievement for Ashwin but also underscored his critical role in the Indian cricket team, continuing the legacy of spin bowling excellence established by his predecessors, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. Crawley's mis-timed sweep, which landed safely in the hands of Rajat Patidar at short fine leg, was met with applause and admiration, reflecting Ashwin's journey from a phase of self-doubt to reaching a pinnacle few have scaled.

Ashwin's achievement places him in a unique position among his peers, particularly highlighting his rivalry and camaraderie with Australia's Nathan Lyon. Both off-spinners have paralleled careers, with Lyon also recently surpassing the 500-wicket mark. Their mutual respect and recognition of each other's achievements underscore the fraternity among cricketers, even as they compete on the world stage. Ashwin's acknowledgment of Lyon's congratulatory message further exemplifies the sportsmanship and mutual admiration that transcends national rivalries.

However, the journey to this monumental achievement was not devoid of challenges. Reflecting on his career, the senior off-spinner opened up about the dark phase between 2018 and 2019, a period marred by injuries and doubts, which at one point seemed to threaten his career's continuation. Despite being at the pinnacle of his game, having been named the ICC Cricketer of the Year, Ashwin faced a daunting battle against a "bottomless pit" of despair. Yet, it was his indomitable spirit and the unwavering support of his family that saw him through these testing times, allowing him to emerge stronger and more focused than ever.

In reflecting on his career, Ashwin, with characteristic humility, expressed no desire to chase Kumble's record of 619 wickets. "Look I would be lying if I say 500 doesn't mean anything. It does mean a lot but it has not sunk in yet but like I said, from 2020, the way I look at the game and way my life has been is very different to what it was earlier,", says the veteran finger-spinner as at 37, he emphasized living in the moment, cherishing each day as it comes without being burdened by the weight of expectations or records. His focus remains on enjoying the game and contributing to the team's success, a philosophy that has served him well over the years and helped him maintain his passion and love for cricket.

Injuries and form slumps are inevitable in the career of any athlete, and Ashwin has had his share. Notably, his struggles with injuries, particularly during the 2018-2019 period, could have derailed his career. However, Ashwin's mental fortitude saw him through these challenging times. His ability to stay motivated coupled with a rigorous recovery and training regimen, facilitated his return to peak performance levels. Ashwin's resilience during these periods was not just about recovering physically but also about maintaining a positive outlook and confidence in his abilities.

"The desire to excel hasn't changed and evolving as a cricketer has remained very organic to me and first question that hung in-front of me was whether I was a good enough red ball bowler because I had come through IPL." For Ashwin, his critics have also helped him grow.

"More than people who teach you, I think the critics take you very high, if you want to take criticism in the right yards and make the right effort, I think excellence is the only way forward," he concluded.

(With inputs from PTI)