India vs Sri Lanka: R Ashwin surpasses Kapil Dev to become 2nd highest Indian wicket-taker in Test cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin took his 435th Test wicket on Sunday to become the second-highest wicket-taker in the longest format for India. He overtook Kapil Dev, who has 434 wickets to his name and is now only behind Anil Kumble (619).

Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday surpassed Kapil Dev to become India's second-highest wicket-taker in the longest format on Day 3 of the series-opening Test match against Sri Lanka in Mohali. It took Ashwin's career tally to 435 wickets while Kapil has 434 wickets to his name in the longest format of the game.

Ashwin moved level with Kapil he took the wicket of Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka in the 2nd session on the third day. He then dismissed Charith Asalanka right after Tea to get his 435th Test wicket. The 35-year-old had earlier registered figures of 2/49 in the 20 overs that he bowled in Sri Lanka's first innings.

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Ashwin is the fourth Indian bowler to take more than 400 wickets in Test cricket. He also became the 9th highest Test wicket-taker of all time after overtaking New Zealand's Richard Hadlee (431) and Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath (432) in the ongoing Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali. Among active Test cricketers, Ashwin is the third-highest wicket-taker after England fast bowling duo Stuart Broad (537) and James Anderson (640).

Ashwin, who made his Test debut in November 2011 against the West Indies in Delhi, has taken 435 wickets in 85 Tests at a strike rate of 52.6 and an average of 24.33. Apart from his prowess with the ball, Ashwin is also known for his capability with the bat, scoring 2905 runs at an average of 27.15 with five centuries to his name.

Aahwin hit a fifty in the first innings of the ongoing Test as India posted a mammoth first-innings total of 574/8 declared. Ashwin picked up 2 wickets in the first innings as he put in another all-round show for India in whites.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja continued to shine against Sri Lanka taking five wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 174 on day three of the first Test before India enforced the follow on. Jadeja picked up 5/41, to go with his impressive 175 not out in India's innings of 574/8 declared, as the visitors conceded a 400-run first-innings lead. Sri Lanka were 10-1 in its second innings with Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka out in the middle, still over 380 plus runs behind India.