Ravichandran Ashwin picked up three wickets (3/44) which helped India restrict Australia to 197 in their first innings on the second day of the third Test, at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Thursday.
Ashwin broke a solid stand between Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green to open the flood-gates for India on the second day as Australia lost their last six wickets for just 12 runs. Ashwin then scalped the wickets of Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon. Along with Umesh Yadav, Ashwin finished with a three-wicket haul each as Australia were skittled out for 197 in their first essay.
In the process, the veteran spinner went past legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev’s tally of 687 international wickets. Ashwin went past Kapil’s tally after capturing the wicket of Nathan Lyon. Kapil took 434 wickets in Test and 253 in the ODI format. Ashwin has picked up 463 wickets in the longer format, 151 wickets in ODI, and 72 wickets in the shortest format.
Ashwin is now the third-highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket. Former India captain Anil Kumble leads the way with 953 wickets in 401 games. Kumble is followed by Harbhajan Singh with 707 wickets in 365 matches.
Earlier in their first innings, India were bowled out for 109. Virat Kohli (22) was the highest scorer for the hosts. Matthew Kuhnemann (5/16) was the wrecker-in-chief for the visitors.