Dependable Arshdeep Singh becomes India's most successful T20I fast bowler

South Africa vs India, 3rd T20I: Arshdeep Singh broke Bhuvneshwar Kumar's record to become the Indian pacer with the most wickets in T20 internationals. Arshdeep delivered with the new ball and at the death for India on Wednesday in Centurion.

In Short

• Arshdeep Singh took his tally to 92 wickets in 59 matches
• Arshdeep broke Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Indian record on Wednesday
• India won the third T20I in Centurion by 11 wickets

92 wickets in 59 matches. Arshdeep Singh, on Wednesday, November 13, broke the record for the most wickets by an Indian fast bowler in T20 internationals after a match-winning spell in the third match of a four-game series against South Africa in Centurion. With figures of 3 for 37 in India's successful defence of 219 in a high-scoring thriller, Arshdeep went past Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the elite list of Indian bowlers. | Scorecard |

Arshdeep Singh is now only behind India's all-time wicket-taker in T20Is - Yuzvendra Chahal. The 25-year-old also went past his favourite bowling partner, Jasprit Bumrah, during the heroics with the ball at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Arshdeep delivered with the new ball and at the death, helping India become the first team in five years to defend a target successfully in Centurion in five years in T20 internationals.

MOST WICKETS FOR INDIA in T20Is

1. Yuzvendra Chahal - 96 in 80 matches
2. Arshdeep Singh - 92 in 59 matches
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar - 90 in 87 matches
4. Jasprit Bumrah - 89 in 70 matches

Arshdeep Singh opened his account on Wednesday with the wicket of Ryan Rickelton in the powerplay. Arshdeep was getting the new ball to move on a bounce-rich SuperSport Park pitch. The left-arm pacer enjoyed the pacer-friendly conditions in a threatening first spell.

SA vs IND, 3rd T20I: Highlights

Arshdeep's effort with the old ball was more important as Heinrich Klaasen (44 off 22) and Marco Jansen (54 off 17) were giving India a scare in the steep chase of 220. Arshdeep held his nerve and got the big wicket of Klaasen in the 18th over before returning to end Jansen's blitz in the final over, sealing the deal for India.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, who was appointed as Gujarat Titans' assistant coach on Wednesday, shed light on what sets Arshdeep apart from the rest.

"He can actually bowl well in all phases of the game. We saw him bowl with the new ball. And he has improved his death bowling. He has got the variation of yorkers, plus he bowls his knuckle balls and he has got good bouncers as well," Patel told Sports 18.

"A lot of bowlers have variations, but the way he has been using his variations and the timing of those work really well. He understands the game, he knows where his field is and he knows the strength of the other batters. He is using them to perfection. You know you are going to go for runs, but executing the difficult balls under pressure and keeping calm is I think Arshdeep's strength," he added.

No bowler from a Test-playing nation has picked up as many wickets as Arshdeep Singh since the left-arm pacer's debut. Having dominated the T20 World Cup campaign in the USA and the West Indies earlier this year, Arshdeep is set for a windfall in the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25.