R Ashwin has 516 wickets in 100 Tests, second highest for India after Anil Kumble's 619 scalps.
Ace India spinner and no.1 ranked Test bowler R Ashwin will play a huge role in Team India’s upcoming five Tests at home. India will play 2 Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand and Ashwin will have a huge role to play in all these matches.
The 37-year-old off-spinner from Chennai has 516 wickets to his name in 100 Tests played so far. It is expected that Ashwin will surpass India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, Anil Kumble who has 619 wickets, by the time he retires from cricket.
However, Ashwin stated that he has not set any targets and just wants to enjoy his cricket. He added that the day he will feel that I don’t want to improve, he will leave and somebody else will come in his place and do well.
“There is nothing like that in my mind. I am only thinking about one day at a time because when you get older, you have to put in extra effort every single day. It’s not the same. I have put in a lot of effort in the last 3-4 years. I haven’t decided (retirement), but the day I feel that today I don’t want to improve, I will leave. That’s all," Ashwin said during a conversation with Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel.
“Kuch target nahi hai (I have not set any target for myself). Anil (Kumble) Bhai wants me to break his record (of 619 wickets). He is a good human; I have worked with him, but I am not keeping any targets. I have been very happy living by the day, and I have totally enjoyed my cricket. I am saying this because it’s a new lease of life. I know what I went through from 2018 to 2020. So, I know how my life changed after that and how I am playing cricket. I just want to hold on to this; I don’t want to lose my love for the game for anything. That could be a target or anything. The moment I feel I am losing the joy of my life by having to do more and I am not ready for it, I will leave,” he added.
“We all play, and we all have to leave. Somebody else will come and do well. It’s Indian cricket," he added.