Why Arshdeep Singh is the rapid-firing run-killer of Indian T20I team? 73 of 92 wickets have packed off batsmen inside 20 runs

Arshdeep can flood social media timelines for his profligacy at the death on rough evenings, like the recent showing in a defeat to South Africa in Gqeberha. But a review of his nearly 30-month run in the blues suggests he’s been clear of his contemporaries on most accounts.

Powerplay surge

Only 13 T20Is into his career, Arshdeep was up playing a World Cup in Australia. Two years in, he has a title to his name while already becoming India’s highest wicket-taking (27) pacer in the tournament. Despite Bhuvneshwar being phased out of the national squad, India have not struggled for early wickets, with Arshdeep taking up the mantle, even freeing up Bumrah and other seamers to handle the later stages.

Since his debut, the Punjab pacer has racked up 37 wickets at an impressive 7.51 economy in the first six. He has dismissed 32 openers in this time, already the sixth-best among all pacers in T20Is.

Not bad at the death

Death-bowling numbers are bound to look inferior when placed aside the inimitable Bumrah’s tally – 41 wickets at a gobsmacking 6.82 economy rate! If one would keep him as the neutral base to judge everybody else, Arshdeep is not far out on the leaderboard. In fact, he’s picked up 46 wickets, nine more than his PP shares, and stands eighth on the all-time list.

Though none have registered as many scalps as him between overs 17-20 since his debut, Arshdeep’s slightly alarming 9.11 economy is one of the areas where he needs to put in an acute patchwork. Of the nine bowlers who have picked as many wickets as him at the death, Arshdeep’s economy is the fourth-worst, with only Tim Southee (9.13), Chris Jordan (9.44) and Mark Adair (9.92) behind him.

But that shouldn’t deter Arshdeep too much as he enjoys a gung-ho approach for wickets in the format. With a bowler like Bumrah to plug the gaps at the other end in more intense contests like the World Cup, Arshdeep’s primary target is zeroed in on hunting early wickets.

Arshdeep and Bumrah have featured in 10 T20Is (eight in T20 World Cup 2024) together, with both pacers taking 19 wickets each. Arshdeep’s economy rate stands at 7.34 with Bumrah in the XI, a considerable improvement from his career eco. of 8.34.

73 of Arshdeep’s 92 wickets have witnessed batters falling before they have crossed 20. (Sportzpics)

When left to fend without the senior pacer, Arshdeep’s strike rate climbs from 12.0 to 13.6 with a sharper spike in his economy, leaking 8.57 runs per over.

Consequently, 73 of his 92 wickets have witnessed batters falling before they have crossed 20. Fifteen of those have directly resulted in ducks in the opponent’s scorecard, making up over 16 percent of his total dismissals. It is only bettered by Bhuvneshwar (19 wickets) among Indians.

Unsurprisingly, Arshdeep’s brilliant 13.28 strike rate is the best amongst all 11 international pacers who have managed at least as many wickets as him in the format.

World leader at 25

Not many have succeeded in building an empire of wickets before turning 26 amidst the brutality of T20I batting. Arshdeep’s 92 is only bettered by Shaheen Afridi (96) among quicks. That is a mighty fine achievement when one factors in the next-best Indian pacer – Bumrah – totalled only 51 wickets in 42 appearances (between 2016-19) before his 26th birthday.

The Indian system has endured a painstakingly extensive chapter of ignorance to slam-bang batters in T20Is. While the bats have finally gained acceptance, an out-and-out wicket-taker in Arshdeep also deserves his share of credit and patience on the off days in between.