Aside from Richard Hadlee (431) and Rangana Herath (433) and Dale Steyn (439), Ashwin is also on track to surpass all of these previous greats with fewer matches.
For the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins on Friday in Mohali, Ravichandran Ashwin is anticipated to be part of India’s playing XI. According to India’s vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwin has been “shaping up nicely” in training and is expected to be fit for the match against Sri Lanka.
“Ashwin’s progress is encouraging. There aren’t any issues. Training went well today, and he appeared to be in peak physical shape. Did everything from fielding to batting. Assuming everything goes according to plan, “Before the Sri Lanka Test series, Bumrah informed media in a virtual encounter.
If Ashwin is fit, he’ll be a sure bet for a place in the team. If he plays in Mohali, the spinner from Chennai could reach a major milestone.
Indian cricket hero Kapil Dev, who concluded his career with 434 wickets in 131 Tests, has Ashwin only 4 wickets short of the milestone. Ashwin would pass Kapil as India’s second-highest wicket-taker after he breaks Kapil’s record of 619 wickets in 132 Tests, which was set by another great spinner, Anil Kumble.
In 1994, Kapil had surpassed Richard Hadlee, the legendary New Zealander, as the all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.
Besides Richard Hadlee (431), Rangana Herath (433), and Dale Steyn (439), Ashwin is also at pace to go past him in terms of matches played.
Ashwin is widely expected to break Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of 800 wickets in a Test inning. If he wants to challenge the likes of Kumble, Anderson, Warne, and Muralitharan’s records, the Indian needs to sustain both his form and his health.
Regardless of whether or not he accomplishes all of this, Ashwin will be remembered as one of India’s greatest Test cricket match-winners.
