Harbhajan backs Ashwin to break his Test wickets tally
What's the story
R Ashwin has been a revelation for Team India in Test cricket over the years.
The right-arm spinner recently clinched 350 scalps after claiming eight wickets in the first Test match against South Africa.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Ashwin to break his Test wickets tally, besides saying he can surpass the 500-figure mark.
Here's more.
Ashwin 350 wickets
Ashwin got to 350 career Test scalps recently
Ashwin was on song in the recently-concluded first Test.
His performance included a terrific figure of 7/145 in the first innings.
Ashwin scripted a special record by equaling former Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan to become the joint-fastest to 350 Test scalps in 66 Tests.
He became the fourth Indian to claim 350 wickets.
The senior cricketer now has 242 Test scalps at home.
Backing
Bhajji backs Ashwin to claim a pile of wickets
"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," said Bhajji to India Today.
Information
Ash needs 68 wickets to go past Bhajji
Ashwin needs 68 wickets more to surpass the mark of Harbhajan, who claimed 417 scalps in an illustrious Test career. The manner in which Ashwin has bowled of late, Bhajji is sure that his record will be surpassed.
Bhajji's views
Harbhajan on why Ashwin has dominated at home largely
Out of his 350 Test wickets, Ashwin has taken 285 scalps in the sub-continent.
"Ashwin has been 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's difficult to bowl on turning pitches. One should know how and where to bowl," said Bhajji.
Quote
Ashwin better than the rest, says Harbhajan
"People talk a lot about his (Ashwin) ability to bowl better in home conditions, but we also have to realise that there are other spinners as well who were bowling on the same pitches at the same time. He was better than all of them."