Ravindra Jadeja overtakes former Indian teammate to set new Asia Cup record

Ravindra Jadeja (source-twitter)

The Indian team became the first team to reach the 2023 Asia Cup final after their 41-run win vs Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue beat the hosts and defending champions in Colombo on Tuesday. India now has a chance to win their 8^th Asia Cup title as they wait for the winners of Sri Lanka and Pakistan game on Sunday.

Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial role in the 41-run win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The 34-year-old picked two wickets in his ten-over spell. Ravindra Jadeja during the process of his two wickets set a new record by an Indian bowler in Asia Cup history. Irfan Pathan had picked 22 wickets in his 12 games in Asia Cup history. He came into the game with 22 wickets from his 16 games when he came to bowl against Sri Lanka. The left-arm spinner got the wicket of Charith Asalanka to pick his 23^rd wicket.

Ravindra Jadeja sets new landmark in Asia Cup 

Jadeja’s 24^th wicket in the Asia Cup for India was an important one. The 34-year-old got the wicket of Dhananjaya De Silva for 41 when he was caught by Shubman Gill. That broke the 63-run stand for the 7^th wicket that was taking the game away from India. For the record, Sri Lankan bowlers are the top three wicket-takers in Asia Cup history. Former spin wizard, Muttiah Muralitharan has picked 30 wickets from 24 innings. Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka is at number two with 29 wickets from a mere 14 innings. At number three is Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka with 26 from 8 innings. The mystery spinner had picked 6/13 against India in the 2008 Asia Cup final. Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal is at number 4 with 25 wickets from 12 innings.

Jadeja has now moved to number 5 with 24 wickets in 17 innings. Chaminda Vaas is at number 6 with 23 wickets in 19 innings. Former Indian left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan has now moved to number 7 with 22 wickets from 12 innings. Ravindra Jadeja has a chance to move further up the table and perhaps even get close to Muralitharan. India still has a game left against Bangladesh which will be played on Friday before the final on Sunday. Ravindra Jadeja is one wicket away from reaching the 200-wicket mark in ODI cricket. The 34-year-old currently has 199 wickets in 181 ODI matches.