Pune: R Ashwin continued his brilliant home season of Test cricket as he, on Friday, went past Kapil Dev to become the number one Indian bowler with most number of wickets in a season playing in India.
Kapil Dev, one of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced, had scalped 63 wickets in 13 home Tests in the 1979-80 season. Ashwin, who won the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year last year, went past Kapil’s record and now has 64 wickets against his name in 10 Tests.
The Tamil Nadu tweaker, who has been a mainstay of India’s bowling in the longer format of the game since the last couple of years, dismissed Mitchell Starc on Day 2 of the opening Test between India and Australia in Pune at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Ashwin, during the one-off Test against Bangladesh, had become the fastest to scalp 250 wickets in Tests as he took just 45 Tests; three less than previous record-holder Dennis Lillee; to set a record.
With India set to play three more Tests against Australia, Ashwin, if he remains fit, has a chance to increase his wicket tally even further in the home season.
