In the Super 4 match against Sri Lanka, Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed the title of the top wicket-taker for India in the Asia Cup. He went past the record set by Irfan Pathan. This achievement came when Jadeja dismissed Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka. Jadeja now has 23 wickets in the tournament, while Irfan Pathan had taken 22 wickets in 12 matches across three Asia Cups in 2004, 2008 and 2012. Jadeja’s record spans 18 Asia Cup matches, and he’s the highest wicket-taker amongst players participating in Asia Cup 2023, with Shakib Al Hasan being the next with 21 wickets in 17 matches.
Historically, Sri Lankan bowler Muthiah Muralitharan holds the overall record with 30 wickets in 24 matches. He’s followed closely by Lasith Malinga with 29 wickets in 14 matches and Ajantha Mendis with 26 wickets in only 8 matches. Jadeja, who already took two wickets in the ongoing game, has another chance to add to his count in the upcoming match against Bangladesh on 15th September, and potentially in the final, as India made it in the final.
This is Jadeja’s fifth time playing in the 50-over Asia Cup since his first in 2010 in Sri Lanka. Another achievement is on the horizon for him. Before this match, he was three wickets short of achieving 200 wickets in One-day Internationals (ODIs). After taking two in this match against Sri Lanka, he’s just one wicket away from joining the prestigious list of Indian bowlers with 200 ODI wickets. In the same match, Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage managed to claim 5 wickets in the first innings.
