Ravindra Jadeja achieves huge Test milestone vs South Africa, joins Kumble, Ashwin in elite list
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian to achieve a huge milestone against South Africa in Tests during Day 3 of the Guwahati Test.
Ravindra Jadeja joined the likes of Anil Kumble and R Ashwin in an elite list after becoming only the fifth Indian bowler to achieve a huge milestone against South Africa in Tests. Jadeja completed 50 wickets in Test cricket against the Proteas during Day 3 of the ongoing second Test against the visitors at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Jadeja became the fifth Indian after Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ashwin and Javagal Srinath to take 50 wickets against South Africa in Test cricket. The star all-rounder achieved the feat after dismissing two South African batters in their second innings in the morning session on Day 4.
Jadeja drew the first blood for India on Day 4 by dismissing South Africa opener Ryan Rickelton on 35. He then cleaned up Aiden Markram with a brilliant delivery to extend his tally to 50 wickets against the Proteas in the longest format. Former India captain Kumble holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler against South Africa in Tests.
The legendary spinner picked up 84 wickets in 21 Test matches against the Proteas. He is followed by Javagal Srinath, who picked up 64 wickets in 13 matches against South Africa.
Indian bowlers with most Test wickets against South Africa:
Anil Kumble - 84 wickets
Javagal Srinath - 64 wickets
Harbhajan Singh - 60 wickets
R Ashwin - 57 wickets
Ravindra Jadeja - 50 wickets*
After dismissing Markram, Jadeja provided India with another breakthrough by removing Tony De Zorzi on 49 in the 59th over of South Africa's second innings. With the wicket, he took his tally to 51 wickets in Tests against the Proteas. Jadeja also closed in on Ashwin's record for most wickets against South Africa in Test matches in India.
Ashwin leads the elite list with 46 wickets in Test matches against South Africa in India. Jadeja is not too far behind with 44 wickets to his name in 9 matches. The left-arm spinner will surpass Ashwin if he manages to take two more wickets in South Africa's ongoing second innings in the Guwahati Test.
Most wickets in India-South Africa Test in India:
R Ashwin - 46 wickets
Ravindra Jadeja - 44 wickets*
Harbhajan Singh - 42 wickets
Anil Kumble - 39 wickets
South Africa extend lead to 508 runs
South Africa extended their lead to a staggering 508 runs at Lunch on Day 4 after Tristan Stubbs' gritty 60-run knock helped them post 220/4 on the board in their second innings. The visitors continued their strong show with the bat in their second innings to pile more pressure on India as they close in on a historic victory in Guwahati.