Who would have thought that a player with an experience of just 5 Tests would overtake him and ensure that Bhajji would represent his country just five times after Jan 4, 2012? Ravichandran Ashwin destroyed a talented New Zealand side almost single-handedly claiming 13 wickets in the last Test in Indore and is the leading Test wicket taker in this calendar year.

No doubts, Muralitharan was the deadliest of the lot - be it in Tests or ODIs taking a wicket for almost every 23 runs. Warne, on the other hand, was a bit more aggressive, and being a leg-spinner was more likely to be attacked by right-handed batsmen. Ashwin's average looks high at the first glance, but it becomes better when seen in the light that batsmen have become more aggressive since the third format of the sport was introduced.

The 200-wicket race is a mirror image of the 100 with Grimmett achieving the feat in 36 matches and once again edging out Ashwin by just one Test. Warne and Muralitharan both gained on the Indian, however, getting to the next hundred in just 42 matches.

Advantage Ashwin?

Overall numbers aside, the biggest test of any bowler comes on stranger shores. Playing in unfamiliar conditions and helping their team grind out a result is what makes good players into great players, and when they do it over a decade, the word "legend" comes into the picture.

Many people might argue that Warne would have reached even more stratospheric numbers if only he had played more in the sub-continent as the pitches offer more for spin bowlers. This could not be farther from the truth and it was evident from very early on – like his performances in his very first overseas series in 1992, coincidentally in Sri Lanka.

Muralitharan played his first overseas series in 1994 in the sub-continent itself against a strong Indian side. In the two-match series, he was able to collect 9 wickets in just two innings. He could have achieved more if only he was not let down by a Sri Lankan batting line-up that could outscore their opponents over two innings. The Zimbabwe tour was a real test for the youngster where he struggled to get into his rhythm coming back home with just 3 wickets under his belt.

In 1993, New Zealand provided the next roadblock, and again Muralitharan came up short with just seven wickets in the series. Following another disappointing series in Australia, Muralitharan returned to face the Kiwis again the very next year. This time, he was ready as he had accumulated the skills to perform abroad bamboozling the Kiwis while picking up 14 wickets along the way.

Ashwin was no different as he too struggled on his first tour that was in the land Down Under. He got off to a good start picking up 4 wickets in the first Test, but was dropped for the third one after he struggled to get a single wicket in the second Test. He, however, came back strongly in the final Test picking five, but all in all, it was a disappointing series for the Indian, who was accused of trying too many variations throughout the series.

In the next two overseas series (South Africa and England), Ashwin managed just 3 wickets but learned from Graeme Swann and began to bowl more consistently keeping his line and length in check. Over the next two series, he managed to send 29 batsmen back to the pavilion.

While there is no doubt that Warne and Muralitharan were two of the most talented spinners of their generation, they did not always hog the headlines, though it was not for the lack of trying. Both players shared their respective dressing rooms with some of the best seamers, who inspired the generations that followed, in the world. While Muralitharan had Chaminda Vaas as his partner in crime, Warne was always preceded by the great Glenn McGrath. Ashwin does not face that problem as India have been unable to form a seam attack that would instil fear in the hearts of the opposition.

Ashwin has to find a new way of motivating himself if he wants to come close to becoming India's all-time wicket-taker or even further. He has time on his side as at the age of 30, and he might have another decade ahead of him if he can remain injury free. At the rate at which he is taking wickets, I do not doubt that he would be able to beat Kumble's record and maybe get close to the Australian great.