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Spin sensation Kuldeep Yadav etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 wickets in T20 Internationals. The cricketing world witnessed this momentous feat during the third T20I encounter between West Indies and India held at Providence Stadium in Guyana on Tuesday.
Kuldeep’s journey to the record books saw him surpassing his own teammate, Yuzvendra Chahal, in terms of the number of matches played to achieve the coveted 50-wicket milestone. While Chahal accomplished this feat in 34 matches, Kuldeep achieved it in just his 30th T20I match for India.
During the match, Kuldeep’s exceptional bowling prowess was on full display as he scalped three crucial wickets for 28 runs in his four overs. His 50th T20I wicket came in the form of Brandon King, whom he caught and bowled during the 15th over of the West Indies’ innings. This wicket not only marked a personal achievement for Kuldeep but also played a significant role in shaping the course of the match.
While Kuldeep’s achievement is undoubtedly impressive, it’s worth noting that the world of T20 cricket has witnessed a few other remarkable records in terms of reaching the 50-wicket mark. Dhruvkumar Maisuria of Botswana currently holds the title for being the quickest to achieve this milestone, achieving it in a mere 22 matches. Among ICC Full-Member nations, Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka stands tall with a record of 50 wickets in 26 T20Is.
Elite list of 5 bowlers with fastest to 50 T20I wickets (Full-Member Nations):
5) Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 50 Matches
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan occupies the fifth spot on the list, achieving the milestone in 50 matches. Known for his impeccable control over leg-spin variations, Rashid has been a key figure in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey, consistently troubling batsmen with his deceptive deliveries. The leggie accomplished the feat during the first T20I against Bangladesh on June 03 2018. In that match, Rashid took 3/13 in 3 overs.
4) Imran Tahir (South Africa) – 31 Matches
South African spinner Imran Tahir sits at the fourth position, taking only 31 matches to claim 50 T20I wickets. Tahir’s energetic celebrations and leg-spin prowess have made him a vital component of the South African team. The veteran achieved the milestone during South Africa’s tour of New Zealand in February 2017. In the 2nd T20I, Tahir bagged a 5-fer for 24 runs in 3.5 deliveries.
3) Kuldeep Yadav (India) – 30 Matches
Kuldeep’s recent achievement cements his place as the third-fastest bowler on this prestigious list. His ability to consistently outfox batters with his spin and variations has not only contributed to India’s successes but has also made him a standout performer in T20 cricket. As mentioned above, Kuldeep reached the landmark in the 3rd T20I versus West Indies where he took 3 for 28 in 4 overs.
2) Mark Adair (Ireland) – 28 Matches
Mark Adair, representing Ireland, claims the second position with an impressive record of achieving 50 T20I wickets in just 28 matches. Adair’s pace and swing have been crucial for Ireland’s bowling attack, and his swift ascent to this milestone showcases his impact on the team’s performance. Adair attained the feat in the T20 World Cup 2021 during the group match against Sri Lanka. He had taken 2 wickets for 35 in his quota of 4 overs.
1) Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 26 Matches
Sri Lanka’s Mendis reigns supreme as the fastest bowler to reach 50 T20I wickets among full member nations. Achieving this milestone in an astonishing 26 matches, Mendis’s unconventional spin variations and innovative bowling style have left a lasting imprint on T20 cricket. Mendis reached the milestone in the semi-final of T20 World Cup 2012 against Pakistan. The mystery spinner took a couple of scalps for 27 in 4 overs.
