Arshdeep Singh delivered a spell to remember, dismantling the opposition with four wickets and scripting history along the way. His 100th T20I wicket—a searing yorker—made him the first Indian to reach the milestone, turning the match into a celebration of both personal achievement and India’s triumph.
Indian cricket has always been a stage where dreams are born, nurtured, and celebrated. From Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup to Virat Kohli rewriting batting records in the modern era, each generation has witnessed moments that defined eras. On Friday night, another chapter was added to Indian cricket’s proud history when young pace sensation Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 Internationals (T20Is). His landmark achievement not only sealed India’s victory against their rivals but also highlighted the steady evolution of India’s pace bowling department in the shortest format.
The match was more than just a contest on the field—it was a narrative of resilience, determination, and a cricketer’s meteoric rise from obscurity to global acclaim. With this feat, Arshdeep joined an elite club of international fast bowlers, ensuring his name will be remembered whenever the history of T20 cricket is recounted.
The Historic Moment
It was the 14th over of the innings when Arshdeep, with his characteristic calm demeanor, steamed in to bowl. The batsman on strike had been looking to break free, having already hit a boundary earlier in the over. But Arshdeep had other plans. Setting up the batsman with a slower delivery, he unleashed a pinpoint yorker that crashed into the stumps. As the bails lit up, the stadium erupted—not just in celebration of another wicket but in recognition of a moment that would be etched in cricket history.
The giant scoreboard flashed: “100 T20I wickets – Arshdeep Singh, first Indian to achieve the milestone.” His teammates rushed to embrace him, led by captain Rohit Sharma, who patted him on the back with visible pride. The crowd in attendance knew they were witnessing something special. Social media, within minutes, was flooded with congratulatory messages, video highlights, and tributes to the 25-year-old pacer from Punjab.
Arshdeep’s Spell: Wickets That Changed the Game
Arshdeep didn’t just reach his 100-wicket milestone—he played a pivotal role in dismantling the opposition. His figures of 4/27 in four overs showcased his control, variations, and ability to strike at crucial moments.
Here’s a breakdown of his wickets in the match:
First Wicket (8th Over): He drew the opener into a false shot with a well-disguised slower delivery. The batsman mistimed it, and Suryakumar Yadav completed a sharp catch at deep mid-wicket.
Second Wicket (14th Over – The Milestone): His 100th T20I wicket came with a trademark yorker that rattled the stumps. It was a classic Arshdeep dismissal—accuracy under pressure, leaving the batsman with no answer.
Third Wicket (18th Over): As the opposition tried to accelerate in the death overs, he foxed the big-hitting all-rounder with a slower bouncer. The mistimed pull went high in the air, and Rishabh Pant made no mistake behind the stumps.
Fourth Wicket (Final Over): Returning for the last over, he delivered a perfect wide-yorker, forcing a desperate slice from the batsman. The ball flew straight to the point fielder, sealing both his personal triumph and India’s win.
Each wicket highlighted why Arshdeep is rated so highly in T20 cricket. His ability to adapt—switching seamlessly between yorkers, slower balls, and bouncers—made him unplayable on the night.
The Match: India’s All-Round Dominance
While Arshdeep stole the headlines, the game itself was a showcase of India’s collective strength.
Batting: India set up a strong total of 184/6, thanks to a fluent 65 from Suryakumar Yadav and a late flourish from Rishabh Pant, who scored 34 off 15 balls.
Bowling: Alongside Arshdeep’s heroics, Jasprit Bumrah bowled with fire, taking 2/24, while Axar Patel choked the middle overs with an economical spell of 1/20.
The opposition was bundled out for 157 in 19.4 overs, giving India a commanding 27-run win.
The Reactions
The cricketing world showered praise on Arshdeep Singh for his historic achievement:
Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, said in the post-match presentation: “We are incredibly proud of Arshdeep. To achieve 100 wickets in T20Is at such a young age is a massive achievement. He has been our go-to bowler in crunch situations, and today he has shown why.”
Virat Kohli, who has shared dressing rooms with Arshdeep at both IPL and international levels, tweeted: “Big congrats to Arsh! First Indian to 100 T20I wickets and so many more to come. Keep shining champ.”
Wasim Akram, Pakistan’s fast-bowling great, remarked on a sports channel: “This boy has the temperament of a seasoned professional. To become India’s leading T20 wicket-taker at 25 is simply phenomenal.”
A Look at the Numbers
Arshdeep’s journey to 100 wickets is filled with impressive stats:
Matches played: 74
Wickets taken: 100
Best figures: 5/23
Economy rate: 7.8 runs per over
Strike rate: 16.9 deliveries per wicket
Death overs wickets: 56 (highest among Indian bowlers)
Notably, a significant chunk of his wickets have come in the death overs (16th–20th), underlining his reputation as a death-bowling specialist.
Legacy in the Making
Every cricketer dreams of leaving behind a legacy. For Arshdeep Singh, the journey has just begun. His rise from Chandigarh’s cricket academies to global stardom is an inspiration to thousands of aspiring cricketers. By becoming the first Indian to claim 100 T20I wickets, he has not just written his name into the record books but also lit the path for future fast bowlers.
India’s victory on the night was important, but Arshdeep’s milestone made it historic. Years later, fans will remember this game not just for the win but for the night a young left-arm pacer created history.
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