The constant evolution that has driven Ashwin to Mt 500

Offie's creativity is viewed by some as a double-edged sword but he has made it work for himself

Many shades of R Ashwin have come to the fore in his existence as an international cricketer. There was the bowler armed with a bag of variations who made a breakthrough in India's white-ball set-up on the back of performing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. There was the bowler who enjoyed a swift rise in Test cricket on favourable home pitches. There was the bowler who donned full sleeves briefly as if to make a point that he was at a disadvantage in comparison to spinners with dubious actions. There was the bowler who dabbled with leg-breaks.

There was the bowler who gradually got better away from home even as injuries cast a shadow. And the bowler that's now in front of us is a complete master of his craft.

Through the off-spinner's topsy-turvy journey, his ability to constantly evolve has been striking.

Which is why he occupies eminence as only the second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to get to the coveted landmark of 500 Test wickets. That he has done so in just 98 Tests the second quickest after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan who reached the milestone in 87 Tests-shows his proficiency, without quite illustrating the challenges that he has had to routinely overcome.