IND vs WI: "In A List With Anil Kumble And Harbhajan Singh Is An Extremely Gratifying Day For Me" - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his delight at being on the same list as his idols Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, calling it an extremely gratifying day for him. Ravichandran Ashwin’s comments came after he equalled Anil Kumble’s record of the most 10-wicket match-hauls for India.

Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 12 wickets and helped India register an innings and 141-run victory over the West Indies in the series opener. The veteran off-spinner grabbed five wickets in the first innings against the Windies and followed it up with seven wickets in the second innings.

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The 36-year-old equalled Anil Kumble’s record for the most number of 10-wicket match-hauls for India in the longer format of the game. Kumble achieved eight 10-wicket hauls in 132 matches, while Ashwin achieved it in 93 Tests.

Most 10-Wicket Match-Hauls For India

• 8 – Anil Kumble
• 8 – Ravichandran Ashwin
• 5 – Harbhajan Singh

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I Was Also A Big Fan Of Anil Kumble – Ravichandran Ashwin

Speaking after the match, Ravichandran Ashwin recalled how he started his journey as a bowler, calling Harbhajan Singh his hero.

“I am genuinely humbled because, at one stage in my life, I never thought I would be a spinner,” Ashwin said.

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“I was batter, I turned into a spinner and then to even imagine… Harbhajan Singh was a hero for me, I was watching the 2001 series, looking at Harbhajan, and I used to mimic him and from there on, I was also a big fan of Anil Kumble, marvelled at how he won Test matches for India on Day 4 and Day 5,” he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s international wicket tally reached 709, surpassing Harbhajan Singh by two wickets. However, Anil Kumble remains the leading wicket-taker for India, with a remarkable 953 wickets at the international level.

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Never Ever Imagined Myself To Be A Spinner – Ravichandran Ashwin

The Tamil Nadu spinner admitted that he never imagined himself becoming a spinner, saying that he wants to enjoy every moment of his career.

“I never ever imagined myself to be a spinner. To find myself in this list from there on, even to say I belong in a list with Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh is an extremely gratifying day for me.

“I feel like I am gifted, I been given a lot of gifts on the way as a cricketer and I want to enjoy every single moment that lies ahead of me,” he concluded.

Also read: IND vs WI: “They Showed Why They Are The Best Spinners In The World” – Ishant Sharma On Ravichandran Ashwin And Ravindra Jadeja

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