IND vs SL Test series: Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has expressed his delight after Ravichandran Ashwin surpassed his tally to become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests. Ashwin’s match haul of 7 wickets took his tally to 436, two clear of Kapil Dev’s 434, keeping him behind only Anil Kumble (619). Follow Insidesport.in for all IND vs SL LIVE Updates.
IND vs SL Test series: “I want Ravichandran Ashwin to target 500 wickets” – Kapil Dev delighted after veteran breaks milestone
In an interview with Mid-Day, India’s legendary captain Kapil Dev expressed his delight after Ravichandran Ashwin surpassed his tally of Test wickets on Sunday. “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 said.
The 35-year-old Ashwin achieved the feat in the first Test against Sri Lanka. He began the match with 430 scalps and claimed two wickets in the first innings before adding three more in the second essay to cross Kapil’s mark.
Ashwin is the fourth Indian bowler to take more than 400 wickets in Test cricket. He also became the ninth highest Test wicket-taker of all time, moving past New Zealand great Richard Hadlee (431) and Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath (433) as well, apart from Kapil.
The legendary Indian all-rounder also expressed his sympathies, suggesting that the Ashwin could have crossed the mark a lot sooner had he been given opportunities in overseas Tests. The 1983 World Cup winner 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.”
IND vs SL Test series: “I want Ravichandran Ashwin to target 500 wickets” – Kapil Dev delighted after veteran breaks milestone
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“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 mans tally of wickets. I am delighted and very grateful to what this game has given me so far,” Ravichandran Ashwin posted on Instagram after the match.
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