Which player became the first left-arm spinner to take 400 wickets in Test cricket?

Introduction / Context:
Reaching 400 wickets in Test cricket is a major milestone for any bowler, and being the first in a particular category makes the achievement even more notable. This question focuses on the first left-arm spinner to reach 400 Test wickets. It tests detailed cricket knowledge and awareness of major record holders in the bowling department.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The category is left-arm spin bowling in Test cricket.
• We are looking for the first player in this category to reach 400 Test wickets.
• Options include Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Rangana Herath, Kuldeep Yadav and Daniel Vettori.
• We assume standard recognition of international records as reported by cricket statistics sources.

Concept / Approach:
Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka is the first left-arm spinner to take 400 wickets in Test cricket. A consistent performer over many years, he became his country's main spin bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan's retirement. By carefully recalling news reports and record lists, we can distinguish Herath's milestone from the achievements of other left-arm bowlers who either have fewer Test wickets or specialise more in pace bowling than spin.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Focus on the requirement: a left-arm spinner with at least 400 Test wickets. 2. Recall that Rangana Herath took over the role of Sri Lanka's main spinner and accumulated over 400 wickets. 3. Consider other names: Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are left-arm spinners but have not reached 400 Test wickets yet; Daniel Vettori retired with a high tally but did not cross Herath's landmark first; Mitchell Starc is a left-arm fast bowler, not a spinner. 4. Identify Rangana Herath as the player reported in news and record books as the first left-arm spinner to achieve 400 Test wickets. 5. Select Rangana Herath as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Checking cricket record databases and archived news articles shows clear headlines announcing Rangana Herath as the first left-arm spinner to reach 400 Test wickets. These sources list his wicket milestones and compare them with other left-arm bowlers. They confirm that he reached this landmark before any of the other players mentioned in the options, verifying his status as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Ravindra Jadeja: A highly effective left-arm spinner for India, but his Test wicket tally has not yet reached 400 in the period considered by the question.
• Mitchell Starc: A left-arm fast bowler, not a spinner, and therefore does not fit the specific category.
• Kuldeep Yadav: A left-arm wrist spinner, but still early in his career and far from 400 Test wickets.
• Daniel Vettori: A successful New Zealand left-arm spinner with a large wicket count, but Rangana Herath is recognised as the first left-arm spinner to cross the 400 mark in Test cricket.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may confuse Daniel Vettori and Rangana Herath because both are left-arm spinners with impressive records. Others may incorrectly pick Ravindra Jadeja due to his strong performances in recent years without checking the exact numbers. To avoid these mistakes, it helps to remember specific headlines or timelines, such as news highlighting Herath's entry into the 400 wicket club for left-arm spinners.

Final Answer:
The first left-arm spinner to take 400 wickets in Test cricket was Rangana Herath.