'From using Harbhajan Singh's action in school to surpassing his record' - Abhinav Mukund praises Ravi Ashwin for his latest milestone

India’s ace spinner Ravi Ashwin achieved an incredible milestone on Monday, November 29 during the fifth day of the 1st Test against New Zealand. He went past veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to become the third-highest wicket-taker for India in red-ball cricket. Thus, Abhinav Mukund who has played a lot of cricket for Tamil Nadu alongside Ashwin heaped praises on his friend.

It is a no-brainer that Ashwin has been one of the most pivotal cogs of Team India’s wheel in Tests. For over a decade now, he has been instrumental for the team more so at home, and has fashioned victory for India on many occasions. Opening up on his achievement, Mukund congratulated the off-spinner and also recounted that he use to bowl using  Harbhajan Singh’s action in school.

“For someone who used to bowl using Harbhajan Singh’s action in school, to surpass him on the highest wicket-takers list is truly phenomenal. Congratulations Ravi Ashwin on yet another achievement, wishing you many more!” Mukund wrote on the social media platform, Koo.

Ashwin has just evolved, he has just kept growing: Rahul Dravid

In the Kanpur Test, Ashwin contributed with both the bat and the ball and had almost done the job for the team but resilience from New Zealand’s tail-enders denied India victory. He picked up six wickets in the match and looked as lethal as ever with the ball.

From 80 Test matches so far, the off-spinner has scalped 419 wickets for India. According to India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, the spinner has evolved vastly over the course of time. He stated that it isn’t possible for someone to achieve success like that of Ashwin without growing, improving, and evolving with time.

“He has just evolved, he has just kept growing. He is one of those guys who keeps thinking about the game, keeps changing, keeps evolving, that’s why he (has) got where he has. You don’t achieve what Ashwin has achieved without growing and improving and evolving. It is a pleasure to have someone like him in the dressing room and to work (with). I am really happy for him,” Dravid said as quoted by NDTV Sports.