Auckland, 30 October (H.S.): India’s left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh scripted history on Friday, becoming the first Indian bowler to claim 150 wickets in T20 International cricket. He achieved the milestone by dismissing New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner during the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.

Arshdeep reached the landmark in 103 matches and 99 innings, maintaining a bowling average of 20.62 and an economy rate of 8.65. His best bowling figures in the format stand at five wickets for 51 runs. With this achievement, he moved to ninth place on the list of the highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket.

Arshdeep has also become only the third fast bowler in the world to take 150 wickets in T20 Internationals, joining New Zealand’s Tim Southee and Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan holds the record for the most wickets in the format, with 200 scalps, making him the only bowler to have reached the 200-wicket milestone.

The Indian pacer has also set a new record for the most T20I wickets taken in a calendar year by a bowler representing a Full Member nation. With 40 wickets already in 2026, he has surpassed Ireland’s Josh Little, who claimed 39 wickets in 2022. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga took 38 wickets in 2024, while India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar registered 37 in 2022.

In terms of deliveries bowled, Arshdeep has become the third-fastest bowler to reach 150 T20I wickets, achieving the feat in 2,143 balls. Only Hasaranga, who reached the milestone in 2,035 deliveries, and Rashid Khan, who did so in 2,098 balls, have accomplished it in fewer deliveries.

During the fourth T20I against New Zealand, Arshdeep returned figures of one wicket for 38 runs from his allotted four overs. Among the bowlers who completed their full quota, he conceded the fewest runs. However, New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips produced a blistering innings of 107 off just 49 deliveries, helping the hosts set India a formidable target of 260 runs.

India had already secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series before the fourth encounter. The visitors are now seeking another victory to extend their advantage to 4-0.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar