Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh officially wrote his name into the history books on Friday, becoming the first Indian bowler to claim an incredible 100 wickets in men’s T20 Internationals. The 26-year-old achieved this remarkable milestone during India’s Asia Cup encounter against Oman, marking a memorable start to his tournament.
Having been rested for the initial two matches as India opted for an unchanged playing XI, Arshdeep stepped onto the field in place of Jasprit Bumrah. His landmark wicket came in the final over of Oman’s 189-run chase, dismissing Vinayak Shukla and securing his place in cricketing lore.
India had set a challenging total of 188/8 after choosing to bat first. Sanju Samson anchored the innings with a composed 56 off 45 balls, receiving crucial support from players like Abhishek Sharma, Axar Patel, and Tilak Varma, which propelled the team to a formidable score.
Arshdeep’s 100th wicket is a testament to his consistent rise in international cricket. Since his debut in 2022, he has earned a reputation for precision and effectiveness, consistently troubling batsmen with his swing upfront and impeccable accuracy during the crucial death overs. His impressive career statistics now boast 100 wickets from just 64 matches, an achievement that places him among only 25 players globally to reach this significant mark.
His standout performance to date remains his spell of 4 for 9 against the USA at the 2024 T20 World Cup, a game where he brilliantly showcased his prowess with the new ball. Following that tournament, he has continued his excellent form, picking up 20 wickets in 11 matches, solidifying his indispensable role in India’s T20 squad.
As India’s bowlers now aim to build on this momentum and advance towards the Super Four stage, with a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 21st, the evening truly belonged to Arshdeep. It was a night defined by a single, historic delivery – the one that brought his 100th wicket and secured his permanent place in India’s rich cricketing history.
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