New Delhi: There’s no looking back for Ravichandran Ashwin who rarely looks like journeying the final years of his illustrious international career. While taking on New Zealand in the third Test in Mumbai, Ashwin surpassed legendary India spinner Anil Kumble in an elite list after taking a three-wicket haul on Day 2 (Saturday). Ashwin registered figures of 3/63 in 16 overs at the end of the day’s play, removing three key NZ batters.
He got rid of Rachin Ravindra (4), Glenn Phillips (26), and Will Young (51) and with the performance, became the leading wicket-taker at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The veteran off-spinner has climbed to 41 wickets from six Test matches at an average of 19.75 with three five-fors and one ten-wicket haul to his credit. The stats have taken him past Kumble who has a tally of 38 wickets from seven Test games at Wankhede.
Most Test wickets at Wankhede for India
Ravichandran Ashwin – 41 wickets
Anil Kumble – 38 wickets
Kapil Dev – 28 wickets
Harbhajan Singh – 24 wickets
KD Ghavri – 23 wickets
𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥! 🎯
R Ashwin strikes to dismiss Glenn Phillips 👌 👌
New Zealand 6 down!
Live ▶️ https://t.co/KNIvTEy04z#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/mfSCUEc9iu
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 2, 2024
Ashwin was wicketless in the first innings (0/47 in 14 overs) of the game but finally got the good of Ravindra in the second innings, stumping him out with the help of Rishabh Pant. Glenn Phillips was his next blood but went back only after taking him down with multiple sixes. Phillips was preyed upon by a carrom delivery, leaving him outfoxed. Phillips seemed to have got the good of Ashwin but his strike came timely for India.
NZ lead by 143 runs
Ashwin further got rid of Will Young who kept his end firm for very long. Young failed to read his carrom delivery and ended up lofting the ball straight back to him, handing him his third scalp. Ashwin has managed only six wickets in the first five innings of the series, averaging 51.33. This three-fer must have boosted his confidence ahead of the crucial five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, which starts this month. Ashwin and Jadeja (4/52) breathed fire on the rank turner as the Kiwis finished Day 2 on 171/9 leading India by 143 runs.
