Ashwin set to surpass Dale Steyn (Test wickets): Key stats
What's the story
Senior Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently became India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. He broke the legendary Kapil Dev's long-standing record of 434 Test wickets as India beat Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mohali. In the second and final Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Ashwin will likely overtake South African legend Dale Steyn in terms of Test wickets.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Ashwin, who made his Test debut in 2011, is now India's most successful off-spinner in the format. His consistency with the ball is something India have benefited immensely from. Ashwin chipped in once again versus the Lankans, helping India gain a crucial 1-0 lead. He went past Kapil Dev in terms of Test wickets. The Indian spinner is set to break Steyn's record.
Wickets
Ashwin has 436 wickets in Test cricket
In a career spanning over a decade, Ashwin has represented India in 85 Tests. He has taken 436 scalps at an incredible average of 24.26 in the format. The tally includes the best match haul of 13/140. He has the ninth-most wickets in Test cricket overall. Ashwin is just four behind eighth-placed Steyn, who took 439 wickets in his illustrious career.
Wickets
Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker
Muttiah Muralitharan has bagged the highest number of Test wickets in history. He claimed 800 Test scalps at 22.72. The late Shane Warne is second on the list with 708 scalps. England pacer James Anderson is third with 640 scalps. The likes of Anil Kumble (619), Glenn McGrath (563), Stuart Broad (537), Courtney Walsh (519), Steyn (439), Ashwin (436), and Kapil (434) follow suit.
Do you know?
Ashwin has this record to his name
Ashwin (30) is one of the two Indians besides Kumble (35) to register 30 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Overall, the Indian off-spinner is among the seven players to have achieved this feat. Ashwin has the second-most 10-wicket hauls (7) by an Indian bowler.