Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin became the second highest wicket-taker for India in Test matches after he surpassed the World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev’s tally of 434 wickets. Ashwin, on the back of six wickets against Sri Lanka in the first Test at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, took his tally to 436 wickets and now is just behind just the former leg-spinner Anil Kumble (619) in the leading wicket-takers’ list.
Reacting to Ashwin overhauling his tally, 1983 World Cup winner Kapil said that the off-spinner would have got past him quite easily before had he gotten a few more chances early in his career.
Speaking to Mid-Day, Kapil said, “It’s a great achievement especially from a guy who did not get enough opportunities in the recent past. Had he got those opportunities, he would have crossed 434 much earlier. I am happy for him; why should I hold it [the second position] from him? My time has passed.”
The 63-year old now expects Ashwin to breach the 500-mark and was confident that the 35-year old will make an attempt to achieve the milestone.
“Ashwin is a fabulous cricketer, an excellent and intelligent spinner. He should now target 500 Test scalps, which I am sure he will try and achieve. In fact, many more [wickets] than that,” Kapil further said.
Soaking in all the appreciation that has come in his favour in the last couple of days, Ashwin was delighted to overtake Kapil Dev and grateful for the opportunities he got.
28 years ago, I was cheering the great @therealkapildev on to get his world record tally of wickets. I never had the slightest of ideas that I would become an off spinner, play for my country and even manage to go past the great man’s tally of wickets. I am delighted and very grateful to what this game has given me so far,” Ashwin wrote in a heartfelt post on Instagram.
Ashwin’s 6 wickets and Ravindra Jadeja’s 9 wickets in the match going with his second Test century helped India win the first Test against Sri Lanka within three days and take a 1-0 lead.
