Ravichandran Ashwin might not end up picking the final wicket against New Zealand in Kanpur to favor the result but the Test match achieved some personal milestones.
Ravichandaran Ashwin might not end up picking the final wicket against New Zealand in Kanpur to favor the result towards his side but rather this Test match achieved some personal milestones.
He has become the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket after Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev, and he went past Harbhajan Singh’s record of (417) in the process. What the off-spinner has achieved is 23 Tests less than Harbhajan.
Rahul Dravid, the current Indian Head Coach has played with both the spinners; Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“Harbhajan was a really fine bowler, someone I’ve played a lot of cricket with. He was a terrific bowler for India and what Ashwin’s done to be able to go past in just 80 Test matches is a phenomenal achievement,”
Dravid said.
“Ashwin has been an absolute match-winner for India, even today you saw on this difficult wicket the way he pulled us back into the game (and also) on that third morning with that spell of 11 overs. And today just to keep us alive in the game is a tribute to his skill and ability. I think he’s just evolved, he keeps growing. He’s one of those guys who keeps thinking about the game, keeps changing, keeps evolving. That’s why he’s got where he has. You don’t achieve what Ashwin has achieved without growing and improving and evolving. It’s a pleasure to have someone like him in the dressing room and to work with him. It’s phenomenal and really happy for what he’s achieved.”
Ashwin himself agreed that going past Harbhajan’s record was above all and he is just happy in making memories along the way.
“I know these are milestones that are constantly kept on the tab and it’s wonderful. Rahul Bhai, ever since he’s taken over, he’s kept saying the same thing. How many ever wickets you take, how many ever run you make, in 10 years you won’t remember them. It’s the memories that matter. So I really want to have some special memories going forward in the next three, four years.
“Look, the beauty of Test cricket is that you need to want it. It’s really, really hard. It’s not one of those formats where you turn up, have a good day, have a good four-over bowl, or have a good bat in 20 overs. You need to want it. There is a lot of pain, there is a lot of hard work, there is a lot of tenacity that you need to bring into play, so you need to want it, and definitely, I am someone who wants to play this format and I enjoy it.”