Arshdeep Singh on the brink of scripting history to become the first Indian to achieve the feat

India’s Arshdeep Singh (PTI Photo) Arshdeep Singh is on the verge of creating history as India prepare for their five-match T20I series against New Zealand, with the left-arm pacer needing just five more wickets to become the first Indian bowler to reach 150 wickets in the format.The series begins on Thursday, with the opening T20I to be played in Christchurch. Arshdeep is expected to be an important part of India’s plans during the five matches after recovering from the shoulder knock he suffered during the fourth T20I against the West Indies. He was included in the playing XI for the fifth T20I in Bengaluru, though that match was washed out by rain.Since his T20I debut in 2022, Arshdeep has established himself as one of India’s leading bowlers in the shortest format. He became the highest T20I wicket-keeper in the country at the start of 2025 and is still rising.In 99 T20Is, the Punjab Kings pacer claimed 145 wickets at an average of 20.30. His record includes two four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul, with best figures of 5/51.Five more wickets would make Arshdeep the ninth bowler overall to reach 150 T20I wickets and the first Indian to do so. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan currently leads the all-time list with 197 goals in 118 matches.Arshdeep has already had success against New Zealand, taking 17 wickets in 10 T20Is at an average of 20.00. His tally against the Black Caps includes four wickets and five wickets, with his best figures of 5/51.He took four wickets in two T20Is in New Zealand. His best performance on Kiwi soil came in Napier in 2022, where he took figures of 4/37.Arshdeep is also approaching a major milestone in T20 cricket at all levels. After taking 288 wickets in 223 T20 matches, he needs 12 more to reach 300 wickets in the format.His performances in T20Is this year have further underlined his importance to the Indian attack. He took 35 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 24.68 and an economy rate of 9.20, including five wickets and best figures of 5/51.With two milestones within reach, Arshdeep will be looking to make it big against New Zealand and become the first Indian to enter the 150-wicket club in men’s T20 internationals.