India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has surpassed Kapil Dev to become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Ashwin equaled Kapil Dev’s tally of 434 Test wickets when he dismissed Pathum Nissanka in the second innings. The off-spinner then dismissed Charith Asalanka to overtake Dev’s landmark. In fact, Ashwin also leapfrogged Sir Richard Hadlee and Rangana Herath’s tally of Test wickets in this Test match.

Ashwin had scalped two wickets in the first innings and returned with impressive figures of 4-47 in the second innings. In fact, Ashwin opened the bowling in the second innings for the home team.

The off-spinner bowled in the right areas and he was able to reap the rewards. Furthermore, Ashwin scored a fine knock of 61 runs in the first innings and added 130 runs with Ravindra Jadeja, who scored a massive inning of 175 runs.

Thus, Ashwin now is the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for India after Anil Kumble, who had snared 619 wickets in his glorious career. Overall, Ashwin is placed in the ninth position in the list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket.

Ashwin now has 436 wickets in 85 Test matches and he has been a consistent performer for the Indian team over the years. The experienced spinner is now three wickets away from equalling Dale Steyn’s record.

Meanwhile, India went on to win by a massive margin of an innings and 222 runs, which is their second-biggest win against Sri Lanka in the red-ball version. Jadeja was awarded the player of the match for his innings of 175 runs and taking nine wickets in the match.

Here is the list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket

1.Muttiah Muralitharan – 800 in 133 Tests
2.Shane Warne – 708 in 145 Tests
3.James Anderson – 640 in 169 Tests
4.Anil Kumble – 619 in 132 Tests
5.Glenn McGrath – 563 in 124 Tests
6.Stuart Broad – 537 in 152 Tests
7.Courtney Walsh – 519 in 132 Tests
8.Dale Steyn – 439 in 93 Tests
9.R Ashwin – 436 in 85 Tests*