India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is close to breaking Haris Rauf’s significant T20I record during the ongoing series against England. The 25-year-old continues to cement his position as one of the most reliable bowlers in T20I cricket.
Since his debut in July 2022, Arshdeep has become a vital cog in India’s bowling attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
A Record-Breaking Performance Against England
Arshdeep Singh delivered a masterful spell in the opening T20I, taking two wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs. This exceptional performance not only gave India an early advantage in the series but also saw Arshdeep surpass Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is.
His current T20I stats highlight his prowess:
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 62 | 62 | 1288 | 1777 | 98 | 4/9 | 4/9 | 18.13 | 8.27 | 13.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Closing In on Haris Rauf’s Milestone
Heading into India’s third T20I, Arshdeep has the opportunity to rewrite the record books. He is just two wickets away from becoming the fastest pacer to reach 100 T20I wickets, a record currently held by Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, who achieved the feat in 71 matches.
Reaching the 100-wicket mark will not only secure Arshdeep’s place in history among pacers but also establish him as one of the fastest bowlers overall to achieve this feat. Only Rashid Khan (53 matches) and Sandeep Lamichhane (54 matches) have done it quicker.
| Player | Team | Opponent | Venue | Match Date | Debut Date | Duration | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | AFG/ICC | Pakistan | Dubai (DICS) | 29 Oct 2021 | 26 Oct 2015 | 6y 3d | 53 |
| S Lamichhane | ICC/NEP | Bangladesh | Kingstown | 16 Jun 2024 | 31 May 2018 | 6y 16d | 54 |
| PW Hasaranga | SL | Afghanistan | Dambulla | 19 Feb 2024 | 1 Sep 2019 | 4y 171d | 63 |
| Haris Rauf | PAK | Canada | New York | 11 Jun 2024 | 24 Jan 2020 | 4y 139d | 71 |
| Ehsan Khan | HKG | Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | 26 Aug 2024 | 5 Sep 2016 | 7y 356d | 71 |
| MR Adair | IRE | Zimbabwe | Harare | 7 Dec 2023 | 12 Jul 2019 | 4y 148d | 72 |
| Bilal Khan | OMA | U.A.E. | Al Amerat | 15 Apr 2024 | 21 Nov 2015 | 8y 146d | 72 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | PAK | South Africa | Durban | 10 Dec 2024 | 3 Apr 2018 | 6y 251d | 74 |
| SL Malinga | SL | New Zealand | Pallekele | 6 Sep 2019 | 15 Jun 2006 | 13y 83d | 76 |
| IS Sodhi | NZ | Bangladesh | Christchurch | 9 Oct 2022 | 5 Jul 2014 | 8y 96d | 78 |
The Road Ahead for Arshdeep and Team India
Arshdeep’s exceptional form has been instrumental for India, particularly as the team gains momentum ahead of upcoming marquee tournaments. His ability to strike in pressure situations adds significant depth to India’s bowling attack.
The writer should take another look at the table