Harbhajan Singh on R Ashwin’s retirement: ‘It was a bit of a surprise’ | Cricket News

With a total of 537 Test match wickets for India, Ravichandran Ashwin is second only to Indian legend Anil Kumble who took 619 wickets in the list of highest wicket takers for India in Test cricket. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh was also present at the Gabba when the 38-year-old announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Singh, who is the fourth highest wicket taker in Test cricket for India with 417 wickets, praised Ashwin after the end of the Test match in Brisbane.

“Suddenly Ravichandran Ashwin retiring not only from Test cricket but from all formats was a surprising news for me. I think this is great news. Of course, a big news, of course a top bowler. A legend who has worked well for India. And took many wickets for India. Won many matches for India. I’ve got to wish him all the luck for his new chapter, whatever he does, he’ll do his best. So wish him all the best,” Harbhajan told Star Sports.

Ashwin took 537 wickets at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 50.7 in his 13-year-old Test career, which began in Delhi against the West Indies in 2011. Ashwin is the seventh highest wicket-taker in Test match history and currently the highest wicket-taker in Tests. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon currently stands as the eighth highest wicket-taker in Test match history with a total of 533 wickets and is expected to surpass Ashwin’s tally. The Australian off-spinner called Ashwin ‘the best spinner of our era’.

“Shocked. I think Ashwin is someone we all look up to bowling. Whereas this fellow here (pointing to Harbhajan) bowling off the break. He’s been unbelievable for our craft. And he’s been able to do it all over the world. So a bit of shocking news. But all I can say is thank you for what Ravi has brought to the game. He has become a tough opponent. He is the best spinner of our era,” Lyon said told Sports.

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