India vs New Zealand: R Ashwin Becomes 2nd Fastest To Enter 200-Test Wickets Club
Ravichandran Ashwin joined the 200 wickets club when he dismissed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on Day 4 of the first Test in Kanpur
Highlights
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R Ashwin took his 200th Test wicket on Day 4 of India-NZ 1st Test
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He is the ninth Indian to take 200 Test wickets
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He is also the second fastest in the world to take 200 Test wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest Indian and second fastest overall to take 200 wickets in Test cricket following his exploits against New Zealand in the ongoing first Test at Kanpur.
Ashwin reached the milestone when he dismissed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on Day 4 of the first Test.
The off-spinner had taken four wickets in the first innings and returned to haunt the Kiwis, claiming the first three wickets to fall in the second innings.
"Ever since coming back from Australia (in 2014-15), I have been enjoying my last 100 wickets. I was planning my wickets better. The challenge from the opposition is always good. For example, Williamson was playing really well. Taylor was playing back. It's a combination of playing good batsmen, conditions and match situations that makes this satisfying," said Ashwin after stumps on Day 4.
Ashwin reached the feat in his 37th match while the next best is Harbhajan Singh, who took 46 matches to join the 200 club.
India's current head coach Anil Kumble is the third fastest, taking 47 matches while another legendary leg spinner BS Chandrasekhar (48) is fourth in the list.
Kapil Dev (50 matches) is the fifth in the list for India but is the fastest non-spinner to reach the feat.
Meanwhile, Australian spinner Clarrie Grimmett is the fastest bowler overall to take 200 wickets. Another Australian Dennis Lillee along with Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis are joint-third fastest having reached the landmark in 38 Tests.
Ashwin is only the ninth Indian to take 200 or more wickets. Kumble is the leading wicket-taker for India with 619 scalps to his name.
"It's too early to talk about my achievements I have a long way to go. (12 more Tests to go in the season) Very important to take one day at a time. Test cricket can set you back if you take it for granted. Be greedy in terms of what you want to achieve, but preparing for a Test, you have to take it one day at a time," Ashwin added.
(With PTI inputs)