‘Sorry, Bhajju Pa’ – Ravi Ashwin after surpassing Harbhajan Singh’s tally of Test wickets in India

During India’s second Test against England, Ravi Ashwin surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s tally of Test wickets on Indian soil. Harbhajan had picked 265 wickets at an average of 28.76 and also became the first Indian bowler to get a hat-trick in the purest format of the sport. In the second day of the ongoing Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Ashwin went past the Turbanator.

When he cleaned up Ben Stokes with a delivery that spun past the bat, Ashwin reached 266 wickets, going past Harbhajan. After England’s first innings at the Chepauk, Ashwin has 268 wickets to show for his efforts from 86 innings. The legendary Anil Kumble has the highest number of Test wickets in India, picking up 350 wickets from 115 innings.

I used to try and bowl like him: Ravi Ashwin  

Ashwin, without a doubt, was elated after toppling Harbhajan’s numbers in Test cricket. The 34-year-old talked about his transformation from being a batsman to an off-spinner.

“When I was watching the 2001 series where Bhajju Pa (Harbhajan) was playing, I didn’t even imagine that I would go out and become an off-spinner for the country.

“I was still a batsman for my state, trying to accelerate a career towards batting and playing for the country, I wasn’t sure whether I would go on and become a player for the Indian team,” Ashwin told in the post-day press conference.

Going down the memory lane, Ashwin said how he was being laughed at when he tried to imitate Harbhajan’s bowling action. Even as he rejoiced surpassing Harbhajan, he didn’t forget to apologise to the veteran.

“Lot of my teammates from that age, from that generation, you know, used to make fun of me, because I used to bowl like Bhajju Pa, my action, I used to try and bowl like him and all that.

“So, from there on to come one and actually break the record of something that he possesses, has to be incredibly special. I didn’t know of it, now that I do know of it, I feel happy. Sorry, Bhajju Pa…,” Ashwin added.

At the present point in time, Ashwin has 391 Test wickets from 76 matches with 29 five-wicket hauls and seven 10-wicket hauls.