Ravichandran Ashwin eclipses Anil Kumble in elusive list after dismissing Bangladesh skipper in second Test. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Veteran leg-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, continued his merry way with the red cherry as he got the better of Bangladesh skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto. The wicket of the opposition captain came on the penultimate delivery of Ashwin’s seventh over in the ongoing Kanpur Test.
This was not just any ordinary dismissal. Besides the fact that Shanto, who looked good during his stint in the middle, getting dismissed in just the third over of the second session of the day, the lbw (Leg Before Wicket) meant something a lot more historical for Ashwin. It was his 420th dismissal in Tests in Asia, one which placed him on second position on the list for most wickets in that region.
The tally of Anil Kumble (419, which he managed in 82 matches) was surpassed, which now means Ashwin is one position away from claiming the top spot. The leader of the pack is none other than Sri Lankan veteran, Muttiah Muralitharan, who sits tall with 612 wickets under his belt.
It remains to be seen whether the Player of the Match from the first Test can get past Nathan Lyon in the list for all-time wicket-takers in the longest format. Ashwin stands eighth in the list as of now at 523, and requires eight more to get past Lyon, who will get his chance to enhance his count come the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled to commence in November.
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Bad light plays spoilsport during ongoing Test between India and Bangladesh
The second and final Test of the series between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur came to a premature halt on the first day after only 35 overs of play.
Zakir Hasan’s nightmarish stay in the middle came to an end as Akash Deep struck in his first over courtesy of an excellent catch in the slip cordon by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shadman Islam was Deep’s second victim shortly after. Mominul Haque and Shanto put on a steady show together and just as it seemed as if both of them had settled down perfectly, Ashwin struck to have the visitors three-down.
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The level of visibility had gone beneath what the umpires perceived as standard as per the light meter, and the remainder of the day was called off due to incessant rain and a wet outfield. Shortly after, there was a heavy downpour as well, and it will have to be seen what the weather gods have in store come the Day 2.