Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday (February 14) said sorry to Harbhajan Singh as he surpassed the latter’s number of Test wickets in India.

With 266 scalps, Ashwin is now only trailing the legendary Anil Kumble's 350 wickets in home Tests. He overtook Harbhajan, who claimed 265 wickets in India at an average of 28.76, by dismissing Ben Stokes on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Chepauk.

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"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 said at a virtual post-day press conference.

The 34-year-old Ashwin also revealed that he used to imitate Harbhajan’s bowling action during his younger days and a lot of his teammates used to make fun of him.

"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...," he said.

Ashwin returned with the figures of 5/43 as India bowled out England for a paltry 134 to take a massive first-innings lead of 195 runs. It was his 29th five-wicket haul in the longest format of the game.

In the second innings, the hosts were placed at 54/1 by stumps on Day 2, extending their overall lead to 249 runs.

(With PTI inputs)