Stats: Ravichandran Ashwin equals Kapil Dev for most number of five-wicket hauls for an Indian in Test cricket
Courtesy his five-wicket haul in England’s first innings during the Mumbai Test, India’s Ravichandran Ashwin has equalled Kapil Dev for the most number of five-wicket hauls taken by an Indian bowler.
The 30-year-old now has take five wickets in an innings on 23 occasions in 43 Test matches and is joint third on the list, headed by Anil Kumble, who during his 18-year international career took 35 five-wicket hauls.
Ashwin reached the mark, when he removed Ben Stokes early on the second day, caught by Virat Kohli for 31 as India looked to close out the visitor's innings swiftly on the second day of the Test match.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer has a chance to go joint second or even eclipse Harbhajan Singh for second place on the list, provided he can take two or three wicket hauls in the remaining three innings of the ongoing Test series.
England looked well placed to make a big first inning score on the back of a debut hundred from Keaton Jennings, but Ashwin brought India back into the contest with three wickets in the final session of the opening day to restrict their run flow and ensure they did not too well in front at the end of the 94 overs.
Indian bowlers with most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket
| No. | Name | Matches | Five-wicket hauls |
| 1. | Anil Kumble | 132 | 35 |
| 2, | Harbhajan Singh | 103* | 25* |
| 3. | R Ashwin | 43* | 23* |
| 4. | Kapil Dev | 131 | 23 |
| 5. | BS Chandrashekhar | 58 | 16 |