IND vs SA | Ravichandran Ashwin can get to 500 wickets in Tests, says Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh believes that Ravichandran Ashwin can possibly pick 500 Test wickets before calling it a day from international cricket for the way he is picking wickets now. In the Vizag Test, Ashwin picked eight wickets to become the fastest Indian to reach 350 wickets in Test cricket.
Since mid-2017, Ashwin has become a one-format player for India. If that is not enough to hurt his ego - for the fact he has already been an all-time legend for the Indian team, his appearances in Test cricket has gradually diminished too, with injuries keeping him out of four Tests in England and Australia.
Ravindra Jadeja secured the lone spinner's spot in two Tests in the West Indies and waiting for his chance, Ashwin conjured magic in Vizag to pick up seven wickets in the first innings. In the process, he also became the fastest Indian to reach 350 wickets in the longest format of the game, which brought praise from Harbhajan Singh, who has always been critical of Ashwin's achievements.
“I am not sure about 600 wickets, but 417 is very close. The way he is going, he can definitely achieve that 400-wicket mark and can get to 500 wickets. 600 Test wickets is very far but if he has to achieve that, he has to keep himself very fit and prolong his career. I think if he is fit, he can achieve anything," Harbhajan told India Today.
Out of Ashwin's 350 wickets, 242 came at home in 39 matches while the rest 108 Test wickets have come in 27 away matches. That sometimes works against him but Harbhajan stated that one cannot discredit him for the way he is piling on the records.
"Ashwin has been brilliant with the ball. When we talk about home conditions, he has been very good and one cannot discredit him for that. Reason – he has been more consistent, he has lot of variations and right sort of brain and has set a right example of how to bowl on turning pitches. It may sound easy but actually, it is difficult to bowl on turning pitches. One should know how and where to bowl, and that is what he has been doing better than others.”
