‘I will not hold on to the second position’ – Kapil Dev after Ravi Ashwin went past his wickets tally in Tests

Ravichandran Ashwin scripted history by surpassing the wickets tally of the legendary Kapil Dev in the 1st Test between India and Sri Lanka. And, after Ashwin went past his wickets tally, Kapil Dev opened up on Ashwin’s historic feat.

Dev said that Ashwin’s achievement is a great one and the off-spinner did not get opportunities in recent times. Adding that if Ashwin had received those opportunities he would have gone past his record earlier, Dev stated that his time has passed and he will not hold on to the 2nd position in the list of India’s all-time wicket-takers.

“It’s a great achievement especially from a guy who did not get enough opportunities in the recent past. Had he got those opportunities, he would have crossed 434 much earlier. I am happy for him; why should I hold it [the second position] from him? My time has passed,” said Kapil Dev to Mid-Day.

Ravichandran Ashwin is a fabulous cricketer: Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev also said that Ravichandran Ashwin is a fabulous cricketer and an intelligent spinner. Dev also stated that Ashwin should now aim to breach the 500 wicket mark in Test match cricket, and concluded by stating that he will try and achieve the coveted milestone.

“Ashwin is a fabulous cricketer, an excellent and intelligent spinner. He should now target 500 Test scalps, which I am sure he will try and achieve. In fact, many more [wickets] than that,” concluded Kapil Dev.

Kapil Dev represented the Indian side in 131 Test matches. The right-handed batter has scored over 5000 Test runs for India and has scored them at an average in excess of 30. The right arm pacer has also scalped a colossal 434 wickets for the Indian side in Test match cricket. The 63-year-old Kapil Dev played his final international match for the Indian side in the year 1994 against West Indies.