Landmark day for Indian sports: R Ashwin wishes Bengaluru FC ahead of AFC Cup final

New Delhi: Indian spin king Ravichandran Ashwin wished Bengaluru FC ahead of their 2016 AFC Cup final match against Iraq Air Force Club, to be played at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha on Saturday.

Ashwin, 30, hailed the Sunil Chhetri-led side's achievement and wrote, "Landmark day for Indian Sports and Football! All the best @bengalurufc the entire nation is rooting for you. Bring home the cup! #AFCFinal".

Landmark day for Indian Sports and Football! All the best @bengalurufc the entire nation is rooting for you. Bring home the cup! #AFCFinal — Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) November 5, 2016

Bengaluru FC became the first Indian club to reach the final of the AFC Cup when they beat defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim FC 4-1 on aggregate in the semi-final (home and away format) last month.

They now seek to become the first Indian football club to clinch a continental title when they lock horns with Air Force Club of Iraq in the summit clash.

Before this, the farthest an Indian club had advanced in a continental tournament was the two AFC Cup semifinal appearances by Dempo in 2008 and East Bengal in 2013.

The tournament is Asia's equivalent to UEFA Europa League.

Ashwin is currently the world's top ranked Test bowler. He recently guided India to a 3-0 series whitewash over New Zealand.

India will play England in a five-match Test series, with the first match at Rajkot starting on Wednesday.