Arshdeep Singh first Indian to 100 T20I wickets: pace, powerplay and death-overs mastery
Arshdeep Singh reaches 100 T20I wickets: India’s first to the mark
Arshdeep Singh has become the first India men’s bowler to take 100 wickets in T20 internationals, reaching the mark by dismissing Oman’s Vinayak Shukla in India’s final Asia Cup 2025 group match. He got there in his 64th game, making him the fastest fast bowler to 100 by matches and balls, and the 25th bowler overall to join the club. This piece breaks down how quickly he got there, where he takes most wickets, and why his numbers matter.
The milestone, simply put
Arshdeep made his T20I debut in July 2022 and needed only three years and 74 days to reach 100 wickets, second-fastest among fast bowlers by time since debut. By matches and deliveries, he is the quickest pacer to the mark, needing 64 matches and 1,329 balls. Only Rashid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Wanindu Hasaranga reached 100 in fewer balls among all bowlers. His career average sits around 18.4, the best for a seamer from a Full Member nation at this threshold.
Powerplay and death: where he wins games
Since his debut, Arshdeep has led the powerplay charts with 43 wickets in the first six overs, averaging about 20 with an economy near 7.5. At the death, he has 48 wickets in the last four overs, the most by any bowler in this period, ahead of Ehsan Khan and Haris Rauf. That split—new ball breakthroughs and end-overs control—explains his regular impact in tight games.
Home numbers in tough scoring conditions
Indian T20I pitches often see high totals. Even so, Arshdeep has 28 wickets at home at an average near 21, the best average among Indian pacers with 20-plus home wickets. Only Bhuvneshwar Kumar (34) and Hardik Pandya (31) have more home wickets, but Arshdeep’s strike profile stands out.
Left-handers, beware
Thirty-eight of Arshdeep’s first 100 wickets are left-hand batters, the most by any bowler in this phase. In powerplays, he averages about 13 against left-handers (versus about 25 against right-handers). He has dismissed several top-order lefties multiple times, including a remarkable record against Rilee Rossouw.
Tournament big-game record
The 2024 T20 World Cup was his most productive event: 17 wickets in eight innings at an economy a touch over 7, crucial support behind Jasprit Bumrah in India’s title run. In 2022, he took 10 wickets, making him India’s leading wicket-taker across both World Cups he has played. That big-event consistency raises his value beyond raw totals.
Snapshot: fastest, volume, and context
First Indian man to 100 T20I wickets; 64 matches to the mark.
Fastest pacer to 100 by matches and balls; fourth-fastest overall by balls.
Powerplay wickets: 43; Death overs wickets: 48 since debut, most in that span.
Home record: 28 wickets at average ~21, best among Indian pacers with 20+ at home.
Landmark wicket: Vinayak Shukla, Asia Cup 2025 vs Oman; India won by 21 runs.
Arshdeep’s T20I record (to 100 wickets)
Matches | Wickets | Balls to 100 | Average | Economy | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
64 | 100 | 1,329 | ~18.37–18.49 | ~7.9–8.3 | 4/9 |
Note: Minor variations reflect live updates across outlets; core milestones remain the same.
Arshdeep's Importance
India’s T20 side now has a left-arm seamer who strikes up front and closes games late, with numbers that match the best globally. The 100 mark is a headline, but the split—new ball plus death—tells the real story of his value. As fixtures tighten and scores rise, those phases decide matches.