With time on his side, Ashwin can break a lot of records: Waqar Younis

Former Pakistan paceman Waqar Younis feels that Ravichandran Ashwin has the ability to break more records after the Indian broke the legend’s record at the Green Park in Kanpur on Sunday.

Ashwin reached the 200-wicket milestone in Tests in his 37th game, thus going past Younis and former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee who took 38 Tests to reach the mark.

“I am happy for an intelligent bowler like Ashwin. Without doubt he is a quality bower and what he has achieved is amazing,” Waqar told HT over phone from Dubai. “He is not just taking wickets but also scoring runs. His all-round performance is outstanding. I am happy for him that he has achieved this milestone.”

Waqar added that Ashwin, who turns 30 this week, had time and age on his side. “He is young and has a lot of time. He can break a lot of records. Indian cricket is lucky to have such an all-round talent,” said Younis, who took 373 Test wickets in his career.

Incidentally, Younis’s 200th wicket was also a New Zealander’s. A veteran of 87 Tests, Younis trapped Dion Nash leg-before in the second inning of the Christchurch Test in 1995. “It took me a couple of matches to get to my 200th Test wicket (and) I think I got it in New Zealand. To get my 200th Test wicket, I had to wait a lot. I got it in the second inning. I think he (Nash) was the second-last man to get out.”

Ashwin has a tremendous record at home as he has taken 133 wickets. But as a lead bowler, he has to improve his record on overseas tours of Australia, England and South Africa where he has taken 24 wickets in nine matches.

But Younis feels that every cricketer enjoys home conditions and this argument should not overshadow Ashwin’s achievement. “It’s always is a challenge to perform in overseas tours, especially Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. But when Australia or New Zealand come to India or to the subcontinent, they always struggle. I think everyone enjoys cricket at home and they should,” said Younis.