Arshdeep Singh on Verge of Historic 150 T20I Wickets
Arshdeep Singh is just five wickets away from becoming the first Indian to hit 150 T20I scalps ahead of the series against New Zealand.
India's left-arm pace sensation Arshdeep Singh is standing on the threshold of a monumental milestone. As the Indian team prepares for a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, the Punjab Kings mainstay is just five wickets away from becoming the first Indian cricketer to claim 150 wickets in T20 Internationals.
The Quest for History in Christchurch
The action kicks off this Thursday in Christchurch, where Arshdeep will look to make his mark. Despite sustaining a shoulder injury during the fourth T20I against the West Indies, the pacer remained in the playing XI for the final match in Bengaluru, though that encounter was unfortunately washed out by rain. Now, he appears fully fit and ready to be a cornerstone of India's bowling attack for the entire New Zealand tour.
A Meteoric Rise to the Top
Since making his debut in 2022, Arshdeep's trajectory has been nothing short of spectacular. By the start of 2025, he had already established himself as the leading wicket-taker for India in the shortest format. His statistical record speaks for itself:
- Matches: 99 T20Is
- Wickets: 145
- Average: 20.30
- Best Figures: 5/51
- Milestones: One five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls
If he secures those five remaining scalps, Arshdeep will not only be the first Indian to reach this peak but will also join an elite group as the ninth player globally to hit the 150-wicket mark. Currently, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan leads the charts with 197 wickets in 118 matches.
Dominance Against the Kiwis
New Zealand has historically been a fertile hunting ground for the left-armer. In 10 matches against the Kiwis, Arshdeep has claimed 17 wickets at a steady average of 20.00. His record in New Zealand specifically includes a standout performance in Napier back in 2022, where he bagged 4/37.
Beyond the International Stage
The hunger for wickets extends beyond the national team. With 288 wickets in 223 T20s across all formats, Arshdeep is also closing in on another massive landmark—he is just 12 wickets away from reaching 300 total T20 wickets.
Current Form in 2025
The current year has seen Arshdeep maintain his consistency. In 27 T20Is this year, he has picked up 35 wickets with an average of 24.68 and an economy rate of 9.20, including a five-wicket haul (5/51).
India's Squad for the Series
Leading the side is Shreyas Iyer, with a balanced squad designed to challenge the New Zealanders. The full roster includes:
- Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Vice-Captain: Tilak Varma
- Batters/Wicketkeepers: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav
- Bowlers: Axar Patel, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav