Arshdeep Singh Creates History, Surpasses Bhuvneshwar’s T20I Wicket Record

India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has rewritten the national record books, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become India’s highest T20 International wicket-taker in a single calendar year.

Arshdeep achieved the milestone during the second T20I against New Zealand on Saturday, finishing with figures of 2 for 33. His tally for 2026 has now reached 38 wickets, one more than Bhuvneshwar’s previous Indian record of 37, set in 2022.

What makes Arshdeep’s achievement even more impressive is the speed at which he reached the mark. The 27-year-old accomplished the feat in just 26 innings, compared with the 31 innings Bhuvneshwar needed to claim his 37 wickets four years ago.

Arshdeep is now within touching distance of the world record for the most wickets taken by a bowler in men’s T20 Internationals in a calendar year. Ireland’s Joshua Little currently holds the global benchmark with 39 wickets, which he claimed in 2022.

With three matches remaining in the ongoing series against New Zealand, Arshdeep needs just two more wickets to surpass Little and establish a new world record. However, Little’s tally included a substantial number of wickets against Associate nations.

The achievement further highlights Arshdeep’s consistency in the shortest international format. The pacer has previously crossed the 30-wicket mark in a calendar year, taking 33 wickets in 2022 and 36 in 2024.

Primarily a specialist in T20 cricket, Arshdeep has emerged as a key component of India’s bowling attack, combining his left-arm angle with variations and the ability to deliver under pressure.

Having already moved past an established Indian benchmark, he now has an opportunity to turn an outstanding individual year into a landmark moment in international T20 cricket.