Arshdeep Sets Record for Most T20I Wickets in a Calendar Year

India's Arshdeep Singh reached a landmark 150 wickets in T20 internationals on Friday, during the fourth match against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. He became the first Indian bowler to reach the figure in the format.

He got the crucial breakthrough in the 19th over of New Zealand's innings, removing captain Mitchell Santner. The wicket completed a significant milestone in his career.

Arshdeep's rise has been rapid. He debuted in T20 internationals in November 2022 and reached 150 wickets in 1577 days, the fewest days taken by any bowler after debut to reach the mark. Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga previously held that record, with 2325 days.

Measured by balls bowled, Arshdeep is third on the list of bowlers with 150 T20I wickets. He needed 2143 deliveries. Hasaranga took 2035 balls, and Rashid Khan took 2098. Arshdeep is now the fastest pace bowler to 150 wickets, ahead of Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman.

This season, he has also made history among full-member players. His 40 wickets in 2026 so far are the most by any full-member bowler in a calendar year, breaking the 39-wicket mark set by Josh Little in 2022.

In 103 matches, Arshdeep has taken 150 wickets, the most by any Indian bowler in T20 internationals. Afghanistan's Rashid Khan still leads the all-time list with 199 wickets from 119 matches, followed by England's Adil Rashid with 171 wickets from 153 matches. Hong Kong's Ehsan Khan has 165 wickets from 119 matches, and New Zealand's Ish Sodhi has 165 from 142. Tim Southee of New Zealand is fifth with 164 wickets from 126 matches.