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Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev has congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin for surpassing his tally of wickets in Test cricket. Ashwin became India's second-highest wicket-taker in the red-ball format on Day 3 of the first Test of the two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka.
“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,” Dev told Mid-Day in an interview
Ashwin now has 436 wickets to his name with six scalps in Mohali Test. He is only behind former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets in the longest format of the game. Dev has also set thye next target for the veteran off-spinner.
“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,” the former World Cup-winning captain said.
The 35-year-old also shared a post on his Instagram after India’s massive win in Virat Kohli’s 100th Test. He said that he had no idea that he would become an off-spinner when he was a budding cricketer.
“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,” the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer wrote.
Ashwin will have another chance to add to his tally of wickets when India take on Sri Lanka in the pink-ball Test in Bengaluru. If Ashwin takes four more wickets in the next Test, he will surpass former South African pacer Dale Steyn on the list of highest wicket-takers in the format. Steyn has 439 wickets from 93 Tests at an average of 22.95 including 26 five-wicket hauls and 10 10-wicket hauls.
After surpassing Steyn, it will be a long road ahead for Ashwin as the next bowler on the list is former West Indies cricketer Courtney Walsh, who has 519 wickets to his name.
