Kapil Dev, whose Test match wicket tally of 434 was surpassed by Ravichandran Ashwin at Mohali on Sunday, was delighted for the India off-spinner. “Ashwin is a fabulous cricketer, an excellent and intelligent spinner. He should now target 500 Test scalps, which I am sure he will try and achieve. In fact, many more [wickets] than that,” Kapil said.
Before Sunday, Kapil was the second highest wicket-taker in Tests for India after Anil Kumble, who ended his career with 619 wickets. Ashwin went past Kapil when he dismissed Charith Asalanka during Sri Lanka’s second innings at the Punjab Cricket Association ground.
Kapil seemed to be sympathetic towards Ashwin for not being a certainty in the Indian team outside the sub-continent. “It’s a great achievement especially from a guy who did not get enough opportunities in the recent past. Had he got those opportunities, he would have crossed 434 much earlier. I am happy for him; why should I hold it [the second position] from him? My time has passed,” the 1983 World Cup-winning captain remarked.
