Arshdeep Singh Poised for a Historic 150th T20I Wicket as India Takes on New Zealand

India’s left‑arm quick Arshdeep Singh is about to write a new chapter in cricket history. With just five wickets shy of the 150‑mark, the 27‑year‑old hopes the next five‑match T20I series against the Kiwis will hand him that long‑awaited milestone.

The series kicks off on Thursday in Christchurch, and despite a shoulder niggle he picked up against the West Indies, Arshdeep was fit enough to make the XI for the rain‑curtailed final game in Bengaluru. That little brush with injury hasn’t seemed to dent his confidence – if anything, it’s added a bit of urgency to his quest.

Since debuting in 2022, Arshdeep’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. In 99 T20Is he has rattled off 145 wickets at an average of 20.30, including a four‑for and a five‑for – his best figures of 5/51 coming against New Zealand back in 2022 at Napier. He’s already the leading Indian wicket‑taker in the format and sits just behind Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who tops the global list with 197 scalps.

Against New Zealand specifically, the numbers look promising. In ten matches he’s bagged 17 wickets at exactly 20 runs a pop, highlighted by that 4/37 spell in 2022. If he picks up just one wicket per game in the upcoming series, the 150 milestone will be his.

India’s squad for the tour reads like a who’s‑who of limited‑overs talent – Shreyas Iyer leading the side, with the likes of Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and the ever‑reliable Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Arshdeep’s role will be pivotal, not just for the record books but for India’s bowling firepower as they chase down totals in the fast‑paced New Zealand conditions.