IND vs NZ: R Ashwin goes past Nathan Lyon to become leading wicket-taker in WTC history

IND vs NZ: Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday (October 24) became the leading wicket-taker in World Test Championship (WTC) history. The off-spinner went past the tally of his Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon.

The 38-year-old achieved the feat on Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket (MCA) Stadium in Pune. India were asked to bat first as Ashwin first dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham to equal Lyon's tally before dismissing Will Young to go past him.

Ashwin also picked the third wicket of New Zealand's first innings in the form of a well set Devon Conway (76 off 141). The wicket also broke the budding partnership of 62 runs off 117 balls between Conway and Rachin Ravindra.

Most Wickets in World Test Championship (WTC)

• Ravichandran Ashwin (IND): 189* in 39 matches
• Nathan Lyon (AUS): 187 in 43 matches
• Pat Cummins (AUS): 175 in 42 matches
• Mitchell Starc (AUS): 147 in 38 matches
• Stuart Broad (ENG): 134 in 33 matches
• Kagiso Rabada (SA): 132 in 28 matches
• Jasprit Bumrah (IND): 124 in 30 matches
• Tim Southee (NZ): 120* in 34 matches
• James Anderson (ENG): 116 in 36 matches
• Ravindra Jadeja (IND): 114* in 35 matches

Ashwin picked 71 wickets in 26 innings at an average of 20.33 in WTC 2019-21 cycle - most by any bowler. In the WTC 2021-23 the veteran cricketer picked 61 wickets in 26 innings at an average of 19.67 - third-highest after Nathan Lyon and Kagiso Rabada. In the ongoing 2023-25 cycle, he is leading the chart with 57 scalps in 22 innings.