Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently became the second-highest wicket-taker of the Indian Test team during the first Test match of the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka after he went past former Indian skipper Kapil Dev’s tally of 434 Test wickets. Earlier, Ashwin had disclosed that he received a letter and a bouquet from Kapil Dev for achieving this huge milestone and on March 16 (Wednesday) the Indian spinner revealed Kapil Dev’s letter to him as he posted the picture of the letter.
Kapil Dev's letter
“Congratulations! Truly happy you have broken my record. You have made India proud! Wishing you and the family all the good luck. Kapil Dev,” the former Indian captain wrote to Ashwin.
Previously, Ashwin on his official YouTube channel had said that that he “never thought of going past” Kapil Dev’s record.
“Feeling so humbled. 28 years ago, I was cheering for Kapil Paaji along with my dad when he went past Richard Hadlee's record,” Ashwin said on his official YouTube channel after becoming Indian team’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
“Even in my wildest dreams, I never thought of going past his tally of wickets. Because I always wanted to be a batsman especially when I started off as an eight-year old. In 1994, batting was my fascination. Sachin Tendulkar was just emerging into the scene and Kapil Dev, himself was a terrific striker of the cricket ball.
“In fact, I used to bowl medium pace on my dad's advice back then so that I can try to be the next Kapil Paaji. From there, to become an off-spinner and to represent India for so many years. In fact, I never thought I will play for India. I am so grateful and so humbled on this achievement,” said Ashwin.
Overtaking Dale Steyn
In the second Test match of the series against Sri Lanka, the 35-year-old Indian spinner overcame former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn’s tally of 439 Test wickets.
In the first Test match against Sri Lanka, Ashwin had picked up six wickets and in the second Test match he bagged six wickets as well. Ashwin has scalped 442 wickets in the longest format of the game.
