Ravichandran Ashwin overtakes Harbhajan Singh in most five-fors list for India
Ravichandran Ashwin, who registered his 26th fifer in the Colombo Test against Sri Lanka, has moved past Harbhajan Singh on the list of most five-fors for India in Tests. Anil Kumble leads with 35 in 132 games.
Continuing his dream run, Ravichandran Ashwin picked his 26th five-wicket haul in Test cricket on the third morning of the second Test to put India in complete control of the match against Sri Lanka being played at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground. (SL vs IND UPDATES)
In the process, Ashwin leapfrogged Harbhajan Singh, whom he had replaced in the team, and now only Anil Kumble has more five-wicket hauls among the Indian bowlers. (SL vs IND SCORES)
Ashwin got his 26th fifer in his 51th Test and Harbhajan had 25 in 103 Tests. Kumble has 35 in 132 Tests, and if Ashwin continues at this pace, the former India leg-spinner’s mark will be under threat in a couple of seasons.
(Read | Ravichandran Ashwin completes double, joins Kapil Dev in unique all-rounders’ list)
The Indian offie has bowled beautifully in this game, and he has been backed by brilliant close-in fielding. On second evening, KL Rahul had pulled off a stunner at silly point off opener Upul Tharanga’s firm push to give Ashwin his first wicket, on Saturday morning Cheteshwar Pujara took a blinder off Angelo Mathews for Ashwin’s first wicket of the day. Ashwin then bowled Dilruwan Perera and Nuwan Pradeep to complete his haul.
(Watch - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: R Ashwin puts India on top vs Sri Lanka in Colombo Test)
Ashwin started this series with a four-wicket match haul in the opening Test at Galle, his 50th Test, to take his wickets tally to 279. Midway through the last home season he had become the quickest to 250 Test wickets.
