Arshdeep Singh becomes first Indian with 100 T20I wickets

News Desk

Islamabad: Arshdeep Singh’s steady rise in world cricket touched a historic peak on Friday as he became the first Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 Internationals. The landmark came when he dismissed Oman wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla in India’s final Asia Cup group clash, sealing his place in cricket’s record books.

Arshdeep reached the milestone in his 64th match—making him the fastest fast bowler ever to do so in terms of matches and balls (1,329). Globally, only Rashid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Wanindu Hasaranga got there quicker. Among pacers, only Bahrain’s Rizwan Butt boasts a shorter time span, but Arshdeep’s strike-rate-driven achievement stands apart.

Consistency Across Formats and Conditions

Since debuting against England in July 2022, Arshdeep has mastered the toughest phases of the game—new-ball bursts and death-overs pressure.

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He has 43 wickets in the powerplay, the most worldwide in this period, at an economy of just 7.50. At the death, he leads the global charts with 48 wickets, ahead of Pakistan’s Haris Rauf.

Statistically Among the Elite

With an average of 18.37, Arshdeep not only tops the charts among pacers from Full Member nations but also ranks third-best across all bowlers. Only Rizwan Butt (16.68) and Oman’s Bilal Khan (16.95) boast better numbers. His dominance has extended even to India’s batting-friendly tracks, where he has taken 28 wickets at 21.00—the best return for a pacer with more than 20 scalps at home.

Redefining India’s T20 Fast-Bowling Legacy

India has produced world-class seamers in Tests and ODIs, but Arshdeep’s surge in T20Is marks a new chapter. Traditionally a spin-heavy bowling nation, India now has a left-arm pacer who not only delivers in high-pressure phases but also matches global benchmarks for strike power and economy.

Arshdeep’s milestone is more than a personal feat—it signals a shift in India’s fast-bowling narrative in the shortest format, and with the World Cup around the corner, he stands as India’s most reliable weapon.