Veteran Indian expert spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now achieved the highest number of Test wickets as an Indian bowler in Asia.
On Friday while playing against Bangladesh in the second Test of the series in Kanpur, Ashwin dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto and clinched his 420 Asian wickets record. This helped him break the earlier record of Anil Kumble who finished his career in Asia with 419 wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s record in the course of performing in Test matches is nothing short of exceptional. He accounted for 523 wickets in 102 Test matches played. His record within Asia has always been impressive. Lofty heights have been reached as soon as 420 wickets are reached and he is another cue in a separate class for 400 percentile dismal end bowlers in Asia.
Muttiah Muralitharan who has retired now and was from Sri Lanka has the most number of Test wickets in Asia. Out of 800 total wickets, 612 are from Asia continent. Ashwin and the other Indian bowler called Anil Kumble are the only other bowlers in this series who have more than 400 wickets taken in Asia.
Right behind Muralitharan, Ashwin and Kumble is yet another Sri Lankan, Ranganath Herath. He has taken 354 Test wickets while playing in Asia region. He is followed by Harbhajan Singh of India who has also taken 300 wickets in Asia.
This achievement for Ashwin reflects his achievement and the achievement of being able to play test matches, particularly in his own country and in other countries in Asia. Most certainly, this record is more than just about his arithmetic skills; it is about his time in the sport.
Most Test wickets in Asia
- 612 – M Muralidaran
- 420 – Ravichandran Ashwin*
- 419 – Anil Kumble
- 354 – Rangana Herath
- 300 – Harbhajan Singh
