KANPUR: Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday became the second fastest bowler to claim 200 Test wickets, achieving the milestone in his 37th match.

Ashwin is just behind Australia’s Clarrie Grimmett who took 36 Tests to achieve the feat, and ahead of greats Waqar Younis of Pakistan and Australia’s Dennis Lillee who both took 38 Tests.

Ashwin reached 200 by dismissing New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson.

The 30-year-old from Chennai, who made his debut against the West Indies in 2011, is currently ranked third in the ICC ratings for Test bowlers.

Ashwin, who has become India’s frontline bowler, also becomes the fastest off-spinner in history to reach 200 wickets.

Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan managed to take 200 wickets in 42 Tests, followed by Lance Gibbs of the West Indies, Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq and India’s Harbhajan Singh.

Published in Dawn September 26th, 2016