Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has achieved another remarkable milestone in his Test career, equaling Muttiah Muralitharan’s world record for the most Player of the Series awards in Test cricket. This achievement came during the India vs Bangladesh Test series in 2024, where Ashwin’s all-round brilliance earned him his 11th Player of the Series award — a feat that underlines his dominance in red-ball cricket.
Ashwin Joins Muralitharan at the Top
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s modern-day Test maestro, has now matched the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan with 11 Player of the Series awards.
What makes this record even more special is that Ashwin has achieved it in fewer series compared to Muralitharan — showing his consistent match-winning impact in every home and away challenge.
| Rank | Player | Team | Span | Matches | Series | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 2011–2024 | 106 | 44 | 11 |
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 1992–2010 | 133 | 61 | 11 |
| 3 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 1995–2013 | 166 | 61 | 9 |
| 4 | Imran Khan | Pakistan | 1971–1992 | 88 | 28 | 8 |
| 5 | Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 1973–1990 | 86 | 33 | 8 |
| 6 | Shane Warne | Australia | 1992–2007 | 145 | 46 | 8 |
| 7 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 1985–2002 | 104 | 43 | 7 |
| 8 | Shivnarine Chanderpaul | West Indies | 1994–2015 | 164 | 60 | 7 |
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Ashwin’s All-Round Brilliance
Ashwin’s contribution to India’s Test dominance over the past decade cannot be overstated.
He has been instrumental not only as a world-class spinner but also as a reliable lower-order batsman. In the 2024 Bangladesh series, he scored a century and took multiple wickets, proving once again why he’s one of the most complete Test cricketers of his generation.
His record includes:
- 11 Player of the Series awards (equaling Muralitharan)
- 10 Player of the Match awards in series he won PoTS
- Over 500 Test wickets and 5,000+ runs across formats
Ashwin has often been compared to the greats like Kallis and Imran Khan, as he continuously influences both innings — with bat and ball.
Bowlers Dominate the Chart
The list of most Player of the Series awards in Test cricket highlights one clear trend — bowlers dominate.
Out of the top 10 players, seven are primary bowlers, showcasing how consistent wicket-takers can shape the outcome of entire series.
This includes legends like:
- Muralitharan (spin wizard of Sri Lanka)
- Richard Hadlee (New Zealand’s pace pioneer)
- Shane Warne (Australia’s spin genius)
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan’s swing master)
- Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall (West Indies’ fast-bowling icons)
Bowlers, having multiple opportunities across innings, often influence matches more consistently — and Ashwin’s numbers only reinforce that fact.
Top Active Players with Multiple Player of the Series Awards
| Player | Team | Series Played | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| R Ashwin | India | 44 | 11 |
| Joe Root | England | 53 | 6 |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 41 | 5 |
| David Warner | Australia | 38 | 5 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 44 | 5 |
Among active cricketers, Joe Root and Steve Smith follow Ashwin closely. However, their tallies remain far behind the Indian spinner’s record-setting pace.
Historic Perspective
When compared to the legends of earlier eras like Imran Khan, Hadlee, and Kallis, Ashwin’s achievement stands out for coming in a much shorter span of time and amidst tougher competition.
In modern cricket, where workloads are managed carefully and pitches vary dramatically, maintaining such consistency across home and away conditions makes Ashwin’s feat exceptional.
Ashwin on Verge of Breaking Muralitharan’s Record
With the upcoming Test series in early 2025, Ravichandran Ashwin stands just one award away from becoming the sole holder of the world record for most Player of the Series awards in Test cricket.
If he continues his current form, that milestone seems inevitable.
In Summary
- Ashwin equals Muralitharan’s record (11 awards each).
- Both are spinners with match-winning dominance across continents.
- Ashwin achieved it in fewer series, showing his higher impact rate.
- Bowlers continue to dominate Player of the Series charts historically.
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Conclusion
Ravichandran Ashwin’s journey in Test cricket is a story of skill, adaptability, and perseverance. From Chennai’s turning tracks to challenging overseas tours, he has proven his worth as India’s biggest match-winner in the longest format.
With just one more Player of the Series award, Ashwin is poised to become the most decorated Test cricketer in this category, etching his name firmly among the all-time greats of the game.
