Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is on the verge of breaking another record in Test Cricket as his dream run continues in the longest format of the game.
The 30-year old has been the best bowler for India in the last few years as he at times won the matches single handed for the team making him one of the most lethal bowlers in the world in Test cricket.
Ashwin who has taken four wickets in the first innings of the on-going Kanpur test match has now picked 197 wickets in his career. He is just three wickets away from the magical 200 wicket mark in his 37th test match.
He could become the second fastest bowler ever to take 200 test wickets if he manages to pick three wickets in the second innings against New Zealand. The fastest bowler ever to reach 200 wickets is Australian spinner, Claire Grimmett. He has taken 36 tests to pick up 200 test wickets.
However, the second fastest to reach were Waqar Younis of Pakistan and Dennis Lille of Australia as both the fast bowlers took 38 matches to pick 200 test wickets. Ashwin could break the record for the second fastest which is currently being held by two cricketers in this match.
Considering the form he is in, it might not be a problem for him as he has been the strike bowler for Virat Kohli. He has time and again proved his quality and it is more than likely to happen before the end of the current test match.
He is also on the brink of breaking the Indian record for the 200 test wickets as it is currently being held by Harbhajan Singh who has started playing cricket for India from teenage.
Harbhajan has taken 46 test matches to reach the milestone in his early days before becoming the leading off-spinner for the team over the years. Ashwin would be rearing to go as India are in a commendable position to post a huge total and give a massive target for New Zealand to chase in the fourth innings.