Ravichandran Ashwin equals Kapil Dev’s record of 434 wickets


Ravichandran Ashwin equals Kapil Dev’s record of 434 wickets

The all-rounder has now taken 434 Test wickets, equalling Kapil Dev’s all-time record. Ravichandran Ashwin tied Kapil Dev on the third day of the first test against Sri Lanka. The spinner wants one more wicket to become India’s second-most successful wicket-taker in the longest format, behind only Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets.

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In his time with the South African team, Dale Steyn had taken 439 Test wickets, and Ashwin could still surpass his record. There are only four Indian bowlers who have taken 400 or more wickets in Test cricket. Ashwin overtook Harbhajan Singh on the list last year during India’s home series against New Zealand. Ravichandran Ashwin has also overtaken Harbajan (50) for the most wickets against Sri Lanka in a Test match.

Earlier, 139/4 was the score at the end of Day 2’s first innings when Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka added 53 runs to it, bringing Nissanka over the half-century mark. Jasprit Bumrah finally beat Asalanka (29), in the 58th over, to give India the breakthrough.

Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Niroshan Dickwella (2) for just two runs to reduce Sri Lanka to 164/7. In the same over, he removed Suranga Lakmal (0) for just two runs as well. Ultimately, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 174, allowing India to take a 400-run lead and they were compelled to follow on.

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At the time of writing, India has tightened the grip in the second innings as Sri Lanka were reduced to 120/4 (f/o) when tea was taken. Ravichandran Ashwin had two wickets to his name while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja each had one wicket. Sri Lanka had been reduced to 45/3 before Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews combined for 49 runs for the fourth wicket, which was ended by Ravindra Jadeja’s golden bowl. Sri Lanka still trails by 280 runs and India need six wickets to win the first Test now.

Ravichandran Ashwin had scored a fifty in the 1st innings

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin

Despite Jadeja’s dominance in the Mohali Test, Ravichandran Ashwin also played an instrumental role. Ashwin scored 61 off 82 in the first innings and also shared a 130-run partnership with Jadeja. The Indian innings was declared at 574 for 8 when Ashwin took two wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings. He trapped Lahiru Thirimanne lbw for 17 and then returned towards the end of the day to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva (1) leg before as well.

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