R. Ashwin surpasses Anil Kumble in major list with 3-wicket haul at Wankhede

Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has entered another elite list in his illustrious Test career following his three-wicket haul on Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand. Ashwin registered figures of 3/63 in 16 overs as he dismissed Rachin Ravindra (4), Glenn Phillips (26) and Will Young (51).
Following his performance, Ashwin has become the leading wicket-taker at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The off-spinner now has 41 wickets to his name from six matches at an average of 19.75 with three-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul to his name. He surpassed legendary India wrist spinner Anil Kumble’s tally of 38 wickets from seven matches.
IND vs NZ 3rd Test Day 2 Highlights
After going wicketless in the first innings, Ashwin finally scalped his first wicket of the match by getting Rachin Ravindra stumped in the third session of the day. He was further taken on by Glenn Phillips who smashed him for a couple of sixes. However, the veteran spinner had the last laugh as he outfoxed the Blackcaps batter with his carrom ball and dismantled his stumps.
Being hit for a couple of sixes from around the wicket, Ashwin quickly switched over the stumps. The decision paid dividends immediately as he bowled a brilliant carrom ball which pitched on the leg stump and turned sharply to hit the top of off stump leaving Phillips dumbfounded. Seeing his plan work, Ashwin took a giant leap and let out a wild roar while punching the air.
The veteran spinner further got the prized scalp of Will Young who also failed to read his carrom ball and ended up hitting it straight back at him handing the India spinner his third wicket. The 38-year-old further went wicketless on Day 1 of the registering figures of 0/47 in 14 overs.
He had just picked six wickets in the first five innings of the series at an average of 51.33. Hence, the three-wicket haul must’ve given Ashwin his confidence back ahead of the five Tests vs Australia. Meanwhile, courtesy of a magnificent performance by Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (4/52), New Zealand finished Day 2 on 171/9 leading India by 143 runs.