Arshdeep Singh Becomes India’s Leading T20I Wicket-Taker in a Year
Arshdeep Singh has been India’s best wicket-taker in T20 Internationals in a single calendar year, with 38 wickets in the format in 2026. During the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, the left-arm bowler broke the previous national record of 37, established by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 2022.
The milestone was attained during the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, where Arshdeep Singh bowled 2 for 33 and New Zealand scored 180 for 5. India needs 181 runs to secure a 2-0 series lead. The first T20I of the series took place at the same site on October 22, 2026, with India leading 1-0 going into the second match.
Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs led New Zealand’s innings, scoring 116 runs off 76 balls. Phillips was the more aggressive of the two, scoring 70 off 43 deliveries, while Jacobs produced 58 off 46 balls. The pair propelled the hosts to a total that posed India with a serious challenge. Other Indian bowlers included Axar Patel (1 for 31), Prince Yadav (1 for 30), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1 for 50).
How does Arshdeep Singh 2026 tally compare to India’s all-time record for most T20I wickets in a calendar year?
Arshdeep Singh 38 wickets in 2026 put him at the top of the all-time list for most T20I wickets taken by an Indian bowler in a single calendar year. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 37 wickets from 2022 now rank second on that list.
Arshdeep Singh appears again farther down the rankings. His 36 wickets in 2024 are equal to Varun Chakravarthy’s 36 wickets in 2025, with both tied for third place. Arshdeep Singh 33 wickets in 2022 are also on the chart, demonstrating how consistently he has placed among India’s most productive T20I bowlers over the years.
| Wickets | Player | Year |
| 38 | Arshdeep Singh | 2026 |
| 37 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 2022 |
| 36 | Arshdeep Singh | 2024 |
| 36 | Varun Chakravarthy | 2025 |
| 33 | Arshdeep Singh | 2022 |
The record thus puts Arshdeep Singh in two of the top spots on the list, with his 2026 and 2024 returns both among the highest single-year numbers generated by any Indian T20I bowler.Here is the data formatted into a clear, easy-to-read table:
What did the second Twenty20 International at Hagley Oval indicate about New Zealand’s batting depth?
The innings at Hagley Oval showcased New Zealand’s capacity to build a large total based on a middle-order partnership rather than an explosive top-order start. The Phillips-Jacobs stand of 116 runs in 76 balls was the highlight of the innings, propelling the hosts comfortably beyond 150 and eventually to 180 for 5.
Phillips was the more aggressive of the two, hitting 70 off 43 balls, while Jacobs was measured but efficient, scoring 58 off 46 deliveries. The partnership came at a time when India needed wickets to put the brakes on the innings, and the visitors paid the price for failing to break the stand early.
Also Read : Tilak Varma Sets World Record for Most T20I Catches in a Calendar Year
Arshdeep was the Indian team’s leading wicket-taker in the match, with 2 for 33. His ability to take two wickets without conceding at a regulated rate, despite the Phillips-Jacobs pair flourishing at the other end, demonstrates why he has gathered wickets at such a high rate in 2026.
