Indian cricket witnessed a remarkable feat this week as Ravichandran Ashwin reclaimed the number one spot in the ICC Test Bowler Rankings. This achievement came after his exceptional performance in the recently concluded fifth and final Test against England, where he bagged an impressive nine wickets.

The Dharamsala Test marked a truly memorable occasion for Ashwin, not only because it was his 100th Test match but also because he emerged as the series' leading wicket-taker with a staggering 26 dismissals to his name. This dominant display came hot on the heels of another milestone - claiming his 500th Test wicket in the third Test held at Rajkot.

With this achievement, Ashwin dethroned his teammate Jasprit Bumrah from the top spot in the rankings. Bumrah himself slipped to the third position, overtaken by Australia's Josh Hazlewood who climbed two rungs after his impactful performance with six wickets in the second Test against New Zealand.

This ascent to the pinnacle of the Test bowling rankings marks Ashwin's sixth time achieving this distinction throughout his illustrious career. Notably, the recently concluded Test series against England was a rollercoaster of emotions for the 37-year-old off-spinner.

During the Rajkot Test, Ashwin had to make a temporary withdrawal to be with his ailing mother in Chennai. He later rejoined the squad on the fourth day of the match. In a heartwarming gesture, Ashwin expressed his gratitude to India's captain, Rohit Sharma, on his YouTube channel. He acknowledged Sharma's exceptional leadership and understanding by allowing him to be with his mother during the crucial Test.