South Africa's Dale Steyn eclipses Kapil Dev's record
South African speedster, Dale Steyn is enjoying a dream comeback as he continues to reach new heights with every passing match. The pacer was the star of the show for the Proteas in the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka as he picked up four wickets to rattle the top-order. With this, Steyn went past legend Kapil Dev in terms of career Test wickets.
Steyn gets to 437 Test scalps, surpasses Kapil
Steyn came into the Test with 433 scalps under his belt. He played a solid hand (4/48) for bowling-heavy Proteas. Steyn's heroics saw him surpass Kapil Dev (434 Test wickets). He took only 92 Tests to achieve this feat. The veteran fast bowler is now the joint-seventh highest Test wicket-taker of all time. He stands alongside England's Stuart Broad (437 Test scalps).
Steyn rips apart Lanka with figures of 4/48
South Africa's decision to go with five premier bowlers helped them to skittle out Lanka for 191. Steyn was the star as he ripped apart the opposition. He dismissed two top-order batsmen to help SA gain authority. Kusal Perera's wicket was the most crucial one.
'I feel like it's a blessing to be playing again'
Steyn is on fire at the moment as he is bowling with a lot of zeal. He was consistently bowling at mid-140kph. The 35-year-old is enjoying his fitness and bowled long spells. "I feel like it's a blessing to just be playing again. I've almost had to start over. I'm not on 430-odd wickets, I'm on 20 since breaking Polly's record," said Steyn.
How does the Test match stand at the moment?
The hosts were bowled out for 235 and then got the Lankans for 191 to take a 44-run lead. Proteas are at 180/4 in the second innings and lead by 224 runs. Quinton de Kock (80 and 47*) has been the rock.
Steyn back to his best after battling past injuries
Steyn's career has been hampered due to injuries. In this decade, he couldn't play for more than a year. Last year he featured against India in the first Test, before getting injured midway through the match. He made a return in July. Steyn's worst moment came in 2016 when he suffered a shoulder injury. Physiotherapy and rehab helped him regain fitness.
Some other feats of Dale Steyn
Steyn is now the joint-fourth highest wicket-taker in Tests as far as pacers are concerned. He needs 13 more to reach to 450 scalps. Steyn took a record 74 wickets in 2008. His best figures of 7/51 came against India in Nagpur on a flat deck in 2010. His record in India stands at 26 wickets in six Tests at an average of 21.36.