Here's Why Ashwin Said 'Sorry Bhajju Pa' After Breaking Harbhajan Singh's Record

Ind vs Eng Chennai Test: Ravichandran Ashwin (266 wickets) now has the second highest number of Test wickets on Indian soil, breaking Harbhajan Singh's record of 265 Test wickets.

PTI

The English batsman looked completely helpless in front of team India's veteran speedster Ravichandran Ashwin's sensational spell, on Day 2 of the second day being played at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

In response to India's first innings total of 329 runs, England cricket team was restricted to 134.  Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he bagged a remarkable five-wicket haul. With this, the off-spinner surpassed senior spinner Harbhajan Singh in number of Test wickets on Indian soil, after which Ashwin also apologized to Harbhajan during a virtual post-day press conference..

Ravichandran Ashwin (266 wickets) now has the second highest number of Test wickets on Indian soil, breaking Harbhajan Singh's record of 265 Test wickets.

Former India skipper Anil Kumble tops the elite list with 350 Test wickets. Talking about his amazing feat during the presser, Ashwin said, 'When I saw Bhajju Pa (Harbhajan) playing in the 2001 series, I did not think that I would play for the country as an off-spinner.  I was playing for my state at that time and wanted to make a career in batting."

The 34-year-old Ashwin, who has picked 391 wickets in 76 Tests at an impressive average of 25.26, was not aware that he has surpassed Harbhajan, before coming to the press conference.

Ashwin apologized to Harbhajan Singh for breaking his record and said,"Lot of my teammates from that age, from that generation, you know, used to make fun of me, because I used to bowl like Bhajju Pa, my action, I used to try and bowl like him and all that.

"So, from there on to come one and actually break the record of something that he possesses, has to be incredibly special. I didn't know of it, now that I do know of it, I feel happy. Sorry, Bhajju Pa...," said Ashwin.

In his career, Ashwin has completed five-wicket hauls 29 times and 10-wicket hauls seven times, with a best innings figures of seven wickets for 59 runs.