How Ashwin Can Break Muralitharan’s 26-Year-Old Record In England

R Ashwin can surpass Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan to become the fastest bowler to take 350 wickets in Test cricket

By: Karan Nanda |
July 31, 2018 6:06 pm

India’s premier spin bowler R Ashwin can surpass Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan to become the fastest bowler to take 350 wickets in Test cricket. Ashwin needs 34 more wickets to enter the record books.

Ashwin has represented India in 58 Test matches so far and picked up 316 wickets, with 7/59 in an innings being his best figures.

Muralitharan, on the other hand, took 66 matches to reach 350 wickets. In 2001 against Bangladesh, Muralitharan surpassed former Kiwi pacer Richard Hadlee to be at the top of the elite list of bowlers who picked 350 wickets.

India will play 5 Test matches against England. Ashwin has to produce a string of strong performances to go past the Sri Lankan.

Player	Matches	Opposition	Year
Muralitharan	66	v Bangladesh	2001
Richard Hadlee	69	v West Indies	1987
Dale Steyn	69	v India	2013
Dennis Lilee	70	v Pakistan	1984
Glenn McGrath	74	v England	2001

The first match between India and England will start on August 1 at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium in Birmingham.

With Kuldeep Yadav being available for selection, it would be difficult for Ashwin and other spinners such as Ravindra Jadeja to find a place in the playing XI. With fans backing Kuldeep in the playing XI, many cricket pundits are putting their bets on Ashwin.