Sri Lanka Vs India 2017: Ravichandran Ashwin Surpasses Harbhajan Singh In The List Of Most Fifer For India In Tests

India’s spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin achieved yet another milestone in Tests on Saturday (August 5) as he bagged his 26th five-wicket haul in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo.

Starting the  day on 50 for 2 in reply to India’s mammoth first innings total of 622 for 9 (declared), Sri Lanka lost their remaining eight wickets for just 133 runs and were all out for a paltry 183, conceding a huge 439 runs lead. Ashwin was the destructor-in-chief, taking 5 for 69  and in the process surpassed Harbhajan Singh as the second highest five-wicket haul taker in Tests by an Indian bowler. The list is led by India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests Anil Kumble with 35 five-wicket hauls to his name.

Most times 5 wkt hauls for India in Tests
35 Anil Kumble (132 Tests)
26 R Ashwin (51)
25 Harbhajan Singh (103)
23 Kapil Dev (131)#SLvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 5, 2017

Ashwin, who took a staggering 81 wickets in 13 Tests during the 2016-17 home season, also holds the record of most wickets and five-wicket hauls after 51 Tests.

Most wickets after 51 Tests
284* – R Ashwin
next best: 269 – Dennis Lillee
* one more inns remain#SLvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 5, 2017

Most 5 wkt hauls after 51 Tests
26 R Ashwin
20 Waqar Younis
19 Ian Botham#SLvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 5, 2017

Ashwin’s five-wicket haul, meanwhile, helped India to enforce follow-on on Sri Lanka. In reply, the hosts began poorly with Upul Tharanga departing after scoring just 2 but Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne led Sri Lanka’s fightback with brilliant knocks. They added 191 runs for the second wicket before Mendis was dismissed for 110. The island nation finished the day on 209 for 2 with Karunaratne unbeaten on 92 and Malinda Pushpakumara giving him company on 2.