In a moment that will be remembered for generations, Arshdeep Singh etched his name in cricket folklore by becoming the first Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 International cricket. The left-arm pacer reached this historic milestone during India’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against Oman in Abu Dhabi, dismissing Vinayak Shukla in the final over to complete a journey that began on the streets of Chandigarh.
Table of Contents
The Historic Moment: 8-Month Wait Finally Over
After being stranded on 99 wickets for eight agonizing months, Arshdeep finally got his opportunity when India decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah for their final group stage match. The 26-year-old had been denied chances in India’s first two Asia Cup fixtures, with the team opting for a spin-heavy attack. But destiny had other plans.
With India already secured in the Super Four stage, the management showed faith in their left-arm specialist. Arshdeep didn’t disappoint, delivering when it mattered most to join cricket’s most exclusive club.
Arshdeep Singh’s T20I Milestone Stats:
Arshdeep’s achievement isn’t just about being first among Indians—it’s about rewriting the record books entirely. His journey to 100 T20I wickets has been nothing short of extraordinary.
| Record | Achievement | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Matches to 100 wickets | 64 games | Fastest pacer ever |
| Time taken | 3 years, 74 days | 2nd fastest among all bowlers |
| Balls bowled | 1,329 deliveries | 3rd fastest globally |
| Career average | 18.39 | Best among Full Member pacers |
| Strike rate | 13.29 | Outstanding consistency |
Top 5 Indian Bowlers with the most T20I Wickets:
With his 100th wicket, Arshdeep has established himself as India’s premier T20I bowler, surpassing several established names who are hot on his heels.
| Rank | Bowler | Wickets | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arshdeep Singh | 100 | 64 | 18.39 |
| 2 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 96 | 80 | 25.09 |
| 3 | Hardik Pandya | 96 | 117 | 26.74 |
| 4 | Jasprit Bumrah | 92 | 72 | 17.67 |
| 5 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 90 | 87 | 23.10 |
The Powerplay and Death Overs Specialist
What makes Arshdeep truly special isn’t just his wicket tally—it’s his ability to excel in cricket’s most challenging phases. His statistics reveal a bowler perfectly suited to T20 cricket’s demands:
Powerplay Mastery
- 43 powerplay wickets since debut (most by any bowler)
- 20.06 average in the first six overs
- 7.50 economy rate when batsmen are most aggressive
Death Overs Excellence
- 48 wickets in the final four overs (9 more than next best)
- Joint-highest wicket-taker in death overs during 2024 T20 World Cup (9 wickets)
World Cup Warrior: When It Matters Most
Arshdeep’s biggest moments have come on cricket’s grandest stages. His World Cup performances have been nothing short of sensational:
- 2024 T20 World Cup: 17 wickets in 8 innings (tournament’s joint-leading wicket-taker)
- 2022 T20 World Cup: 10 wickets (India’s highest wicket-taker)
- Economy rate of 7.16 during India’s victorious 2024 campaign
The Left-Hander Specialist
One fascinating aspect of Arshdeep’s success is his dominance against left-handed batsmen. His numbers reveal a bowler who has mastered the art of troubling southpaws:
- 38 of his 100 wickets are left-handers (highest since his debut)
- 13.36 average against left-handers in powerplay vs 25.37 against right-handers
- Perfect record against South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw (3 dismissals in 5 balls without conceding a run)
Global Recognition: Among Cricket’s Elite
Arshdeep’s 100-wicket milestone places him in rarefied air. He becomes the 25th bowler overall to join the T20I century club, and his speed in reaching the landmark is truly remarkable:
Fastest to 100 T20I Wickets (All Bowlers):
- Rashid Khan – 53 matches
- Sandeep Lamichhane – 60 matches
- Wanindu Hasaranga – 63 matches
- Arshdeep Singh – 64 matches
Fastest Pacers to 100 T20I Wickets:
- Arshdeep Singh – 64 matches
- Rizwan Butt – 66 matches
- Haris Rauf – 71 matches
The Journey: From Net Bowler to Record Holder
Arshdeep’s rise is the stuff dreams are made of. Starting as a gully cricketer in Chandigarh, he served as a net bowler for India’s U19 World Cup team before making his international debut in July 2022. In just over three years, he has transformed from a promising youngster to India’s T20I bowling spearhead.
His journey exemplifies how street-level passion, combined with relentless dedication, can lead to world records. Every cricket-loving kid in India can now look at Arshdeep and believe that dreams do come true.
Looking Ahead: The Future Beckons
At just 26, with 100 T20I wickets already in his kitty, Arshdeep Singh’s career trajectory points skyward. As India prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup cycles and crucial bilateral series, they have found their pace bowling talisman for the format.
His immediate focus will be helping India clinch the Asia Cup 2025 title, starting with the Super Four clash against Pakistan. But beyond that lies a future where Arshdeep could well end up as one of T20I cricket’s all-time great bowlers.
Bottom Line: Arshdeep Singh’s 100-wicket milestone represents more than just personal achievement—it symbolizes India’s evolution in T20I cricket. From being over-reliant on spinners to producing a pace bowler who can dominate in all phases, India’s T20I bowling has found its new identity. The boy from Chandigarh has become the man who rewrote history, proving that with talent, determination, and a bit of street-smart cricket, even the loftiest dreams are achievable.
Follow Arshdeep Singh’s continued journey and other cricket milestones at Techno Sports. Stay updated with Team India’s T20I performance and explore our comprehensive coverage of Asia Cup 2025.
