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Ashwin overtakes Dev's 434 Test wickets

Ashwin overtakes Dev's 434 Test wickets

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday surpassed pace bowling great Kapil Dev's 434 wickets in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Ashwin sent back Charith Asalanka for 20 with his off spin on day three in Mohali to become India's second-highest wicket-taker behind spin legend Anil Kumble, who finished his career with 619 Test scalps.


Ashwin, 35, also left behind Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath (433) to move inside the world's top 10 wicket-takers led by Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and late Australia great Shane Warne (708).

"It's a big thing in his cricketing career to achieve that feat," skipper Rohit Sharma said after India's victory by an innings and 222 runs inside three days.

"I have been watching Ashwin for a long time now, and every time I watch him, he seems to get better and better."

Rohit called the off spinner, who finished the match with six wickets and improved his career tally to 426 scalps in 85 Tests, an "all-time great".

Dev, who led India to their first-ever World Cup triumph in 1983, ended his career after 131 Tests in 1994 above New Zealand pace ace Richard Hadlee (431) and held the wickets record till 2000.

Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 and has been the team's leading spinner in home conditions.

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Pub hotel group beat luxury chains in UK guest satisfaction survey

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  • Coaching Inn Group scores 81 per cent customer satisfaction, beating Marriott and Hilton.
  • Wetherspoon Hotels named best value at £70 per night.
  • Britannia Hotels ranks bottom for 12th consecutive year with 44 per cent score.
A traditional pub hotel group has outperformed luxury international chains in the UK's largest guest satisfaction survey, while one major operator continues its decade-long streak at the bottom of the rankings.
The Coaching Inn Group, comprising 36 relaxed inn-style hotels in historic buildings across beauty spots and market towns, achieved the highest customer score of 81per cent among large chains in Which?'s annual hotel survey. The group earned five stars for customer service and accuracy of descriptions, with guests praising its "lovely locations and excellent food and service.
"The survey, conducted amongst 4,631 guests, asked respondents to rate their stays across eight categories including cleanliness, customer service, breakfast quality, bed comfort and value for money. At an average £128 per night, Coaching Inn demonstrated that mid-range pricing with consistent quality appeals to British travellers.
J D Wetherspoon Hotels claimed both the Which? Recommended Provider status (WRPs) and Great Value badge for the first time, offering rooms at just £70 per night while maintaining four-star ratings across most categories. Guests described their stays as "clean, comfortable and good value.
"Among boutique chains, Hotel Indigo scored 79 per cent with its neighbourhood-inspired design, while InterContinental achieved 80per cent despite charging over £300 per night, and the chain missed WRP status for this reason.

Budget brands decline

However, Premier Inn, long considered Britain's reliable budget choice, lost its recommended status this year. Despite maintaining comfortable beds, guests reported "standards were slipping" and prices "no longer budget levels" at an average £94 per night.

The survey's biggest disappointment remains Britannia Hotels, scoring just 44 per cent and one star for bedroom and bathroom quality. This marks twelve consecutive years at the bottom, with guests at properties like Folkestone's Grand Burstin calling it a total dive.

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