Sourav Ganguly backs R Ashwin to end career with 400-500 Test wickets

Legendary Indian batsman Sourav Ganguly believes off-spinner R Ashwin can end his career with 400 to 500 Test wickets. Ganguly claims Ashwin has all the potential to end up as one of India's best bowlers. The Indian off-spinner has been in brilliant form in recent times and on Sunday (25 September) became the second fastest bowler to claim 200 wickets.

Ashwin, who is currently in action for India against New Zealand in the first Test match at Kanpur, picked up the wicket of Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson to become the second fastest bowler to 200 Test wickets after Australia's Clarrie Grimmet. Ashwin has taken 37 Test as compared to Grimmet, who reached the mark in 36 matches. Pakistan's Waqar Younis and Australia's Dennis Lillee took 38 Tests to achieve the milestone.

"Ashwin has got all the potential to be right up there alongside Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev as one of India's best Test bowlers. He is young, he has got lots of cricket left. He has just played 37 Tests and he has got all the potential to get 400 or probably 500 wickets. He will play half of those Test matches in India and there will be turning pitches where he is going to be lethal. So, he has got all the opportunity and talent to get there", Ganguly said, as quoted by India Today.

India are currently in the driver's seat against New Zealand at Kanpur, setting them 435 runs to win the game in what is a turners pitch at Green Park. The former India skipper claimed that India will win this game unless rain plays spoilsport.

"The conditions were tailor made for Ashwin to bowl on this sort of wicket. It's a typical Indian Test match. India were exceptional with the bat in their second innings on a crumbling pitch and the pressure is completely on New Zealand. The game is only going one way, its India's victory, unless and until rain plays spoil sport", the 44-year-old added.