India’s premier Test bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin went on to say that he will gang his boots from the longest format of the game when he will reach 618 wickets as a tribute to his idol Anil Kumble who has 619 Test wickets to his name.

In the 52 Tests so far, Ashwin has scalped 292 wickets at a strike rate of 52.45 which is better than that of Kumble who reached his tally of 619 in 132 Tests at a strike rate of 66. Considering Ashwin’s current form in the oldest form of cricket, it seems that he might break Kumble’s record. if he plays that many matches.

However, during a recent interview with Gulf News, Ashwin revealed that he is in no mood of going beyond Kumble’s tally as he said, “Definitely not. I am a big fan of Anil Kumble and he has got 619 wickets. If I get to 618 wickets, I will be very thankful too and, and if I get to 618, that will be my last Test match.”

The Chennai lad also went on to praise Sri Lankan spinner, Rangana Herath, he said, “Rangana Herath is one of my role models. I think he is a fabulous bowler. He just overcomes limitations every single day. Age does wear the body out over a period of time. As far as Herath is concerned, he just keeps proving that he is a champion cricketer and he can use pressure to his good advantage.”

Ashwin concluded, “I don’t have an answer to that because resting [a player] and making decisions are definitely not something that I can comment on because I am not the one that is in charge and I am not the one who is responsible for making these decisions. So very clearly, as far as I am concerned, every day is about being better than what you have been previously.”