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Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh has etched his name in the record books by becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. His historic achievement came during the first T20I of the five-match series against England at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22. The left-arm seamer surpassed the tally of veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who held the record with 96 wickets, to claim the top spot with 97 wickets.
Arshdeep Singh surpasses Yuzvendra Chahal in T20Is
Arshdeep’s milestone moment began when he equaled Chahal’s record by dismissing Phil Salt for a duck on just the third ball of the innings.
GONE! 💥#ArshdeepSingh provides the breakthrough, and Phil Salt is caught by #SanjuSamson on a duck! ☝
📺 Watch it FREE on Disney+ Hotstar: https://t.co/CBKmsIywOl #INDvENGOnJioStar 👉 1st T20I LIVE NOW on Disney+ Hotstar & Star Sports! | #KhelAasmani pic.twitter.com/W3PBNkQDv2
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 22, 2025
The 24-year-old pacer didn’t stop there, clinching his 97th scalp by removing Ben Duckett in his second over. This feat not only secured his place in Indian cricketing history but also solidified his position as a cornerstone of India’s T20I bowling lineup. This achievement follows his earlier record in the previous series against South Africa, where Arshdeep dethroned Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become the most successful Indian pacer in T20Is. His current tally of 97 wickets in just 61 matches highlights his consistency and match-winning capabilities.
Arshdeep is too precise to handle! 2 WICKETS 🔥🔥🏏
Duckett Gone Eng are 17-2#INDvENG #Arshdeep pic.twitter.com/SyVavAhIHn
— Rana Husnain Aleem (@husnain19X) January 22, 2025
A stellar career trajectory
Since making his debut in 2022, Arshdeep has become India’s strike bowler, showcasing exceptional control and temperament, particularly in high-pressure situations and death overs. His 95 wickets in 60 matches leading up to this game reflect his meteoric rise in international cricket. In surpassing Jasprit Bumrah’s record of 89 wickets in 69 innings, Arshdeep’s achievement underscores his skill and efficiency. Bumrah’s economy rate of 6.27 has long been lauded, but Arshdeep’s ability to deliver in clutch moments and adapt to different conditions has set him apart as India’s most reliable T20 bowler.
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England’s powerplay: A mixed bag
The powerplay in England’s innings saw a combination of early blows and resilience. India, opting to field first at the Eden Gardens, struck early through Arshdeep. The left-arm pacer dismissed Salt for a duck in the very first over, setting the tone for the hosts. Duckett followed shortly after, falling to Arshdeep’s sharp delivery, leaving England at 17/2 by the third over. Despite the setbacks, England captain Jos Buttler showcased his class with an aggressive start, hitting six boundaries in his unbeaten 34 off 22 balls. Supported by Harry Brook, who remained not out on six, Buttler steadied the ship. By the end of the powerplay, England had reached 46/2, maintaining a decent run rate of 7.66. Arshdeep’s brilliance and Hardik Pandya‘s costly overs created an eventful first six overs, leaving the game delicately poised.
