Ravichandran Ashwin has passed Harbhajan Singh to become India’s third-highest Test wicket-taker. The spinner has 418 victims in just 80 matches, trailing just Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev, who have 619 and 434 victims, respectively.
With an unexpected dismissal on Monday, Ravichandran Ashwin reached the apex of his career. He bowled a rapid length ball outside beyond off stump to Tom Latham. In the 55th over of the inaugural India-New Zealand Test in Kanpur’s final session.
The slowness of the pitch defeated the left-handed batter. He swung an angled bat at it, attempting to cut through the cover. He did, however, get an under-edge that rebounded off the bails and dislodged them. As Latham trudged back dishearteningly after a well-made 52, the bowler and his teammates gave mischievous smiles.
Therefore, Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability to overtake Harbhajan Singh in 23 less Tests speaks something about his bowling ability. He’s not going to waste any time getting past Kapil Dev. Ashwin will have a solid chance to complete his storied career as India’s finest red-ball bowler if his fitness allows.
The wicket came as a welcome relief to the hosts, as both Latham and his partner, Kane Williamson, appeared to be at ease in the middle. Since the start of the day, the surface has only slowed down, making wicket-taking much more difficult.
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has requested that Ravichandran Ashwin be given the same accolades as Kapil Dev, describing the duo as India’s “two best all-rounders” in a long time.
“Obvioulsy, I don’t think I am in a place to judge both of them, but I must admit that they should be spoken of in the same breath when it comes to Indian cricket because both of them have been match-winners, have been exemplary, and have been definitely the two best all-rounders to have come out of this soil for a long, long time.” Karthik told
With Latham’s wicket, New Zealand were reduced to 118-3, still 177 runs short of their target. To avoid a draw, India will need a kind of collapse. Ravichandran Ashwin and India would be hoping for more than 418 runs if the hosts are to win the Test.
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