Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is just three wickets away from overtaking Anil Kumble as India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests on home soil. Ashwin recently became on the second India bowler after Kumble to take 500 Test wickets. He had achieved the feat during the third Test against England in Rajkot. He now needs just three wickets to surpass Kumble as India’s leading wicket-taker in home Tests. Ashwin currently has 348 wickets to his name, while Kumble, who ended his career with 619 Test wickets, had claimed 350 scalps while playing home Tests.
With India and England set to square off in the fourth Test, starting Friday, February 23, Ashwin would back himselft to go past Kumble in the list.
Most wickets for India in home Tests
Anil Kumble – 350
R Ashwin – 348*
Harbhajan Singh – 265
Kapil Dev – 219
Ravindra Jadeja 206*
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers labelled Ashwin a legend and said the senior India spinner has not always got enough credit for his service.
De Villiers heaped praise on the 37-year-old and said, “What a fantastic achievement! Congratulations Ash, you are one of the toughest bowlers I have ever played against – an incredible asset for the Indian cricket team with both bat and ball.
“He’s been a stalwart, but not always getting enough credit for what he is and the role he plays in the Indian team. What a legend!”
De Villiers advised England’s batters to stay positive and use their feet a lot more against Ashwin in the remaining two Tests of the five-match series.
“The one thing that stands out is he’s (Ashwin) a tall guy, so he’s got natural variation and bounce. He’s got subtle changes with his wrist – undercut more and get over the top a little bit more,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
“He’s also got the carrom ball and the leg-spin – bowls all kinds of deliveries. However, his strength is his accuracy, knowledge of the game and patience.
“Putting pressure on him is the best way to counter him. Make him guess the lengths he needs to bowl.
Ashwin had flown to Chennai after Day 2 of the third Test due to a family emergency. It was later revealed that the player had gone to attend his ill mother.
Ashwin joined the team on Day 4 after BCCI had arranged a round-trip chartered flight for the player.
India lead the series 2-1 after their massive 434-run win in the third Test in Rajkot.
