Kolkata: Arshdeep Singh had a date with history at Eden Gardens here on Wednesday evening. And it didn’t take him long to achieve a wonderful feat.
After Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and asked England to bat in the first T20 International, the left-arm seamer bagged a wicket apiece in his first two overs to become India’s most successful bowler in the shortest form of cricket.
The 25-year-old Arshdeep struck with the game’s third ball, surprising Phil Salt with one that bounced a tad awkwardly to have him caught by wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. It was wicket No. 96, which helped Arshdeep catch up with Yuzvendra Chahal, the only spinner in India’s top-five wicket takers.
In his next over, Arshdeep owned the record all by himself as the other opener Ben Duckett top-edged an intended flick for Rinku Singh to take a fine catch at cover, running back.
Arshdeep reached the milestone in just 61 matches, while Chahal took 80 games to reach 96.
Hardik Pandya moved into fourth place when he dismissed Jacob Bethell to grab his 90th victim in T20Is.
MOST T20 INTERNATIONAL WICKETS FOR INDIA
* Arshdeep Singh — 97 wickets in 61 matches
* Yuzvendra Chahal — 96 wickets in 80 matches
* Bhuvneshwar Kumar — 90 wickets in 87 wickets
* Hardik Pandya — 90 wickets in 110 matches
* Jasprit Bumrah — 89 wickets in 70 matches.
