Arshdeep Singh sets India T20I record with 38 wickets in 2026 calendar year
Synopsis
Arshdeep Singh became India's most prolific T20I bowler in a single calendar year on Saturday, reaching 38 wickets in 2026 to edge past Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 2022 record of 37. Needing 26 innings against Bhuvneshwar's 31, the left-armer is also the third-highest in global T20I history among full-member nations — behind only Josh Little and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Key Takeaways
Arshdeep Singh became India's leading T20I wicket-taker in a calendar year on 24 October 2026 .
He now has 38 wickets in 2026 , surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's record of 37 wickets set in 2022 .
Arshdeep reached the milestone in 26 innings ; Bhuvneshwar had needed 31 innings .
He is third globally among full-member nations, behind Josh Little (39, 2022) and Wanindu Hasaranga (38, 2024).
His victims on the day were Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips in the 2nd T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch .
New Zealand posted 180 for 5 , aided by a 116-run partnership between Phillips (70 off 43) and Bevon Jacobs (58 off 46).
Arshdeep Singh etched his name into Indian cricket history on Saturday, 24 October 2026, becoming India's leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals in a single calendar year during the second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The left-arm seamer surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's tally of 37 wickets — set in 2022 — to claim the national record outright.
The Record-Breaking Performance
Arshdeep returned figures of 2 for 33 in the second T20I, taking his 2026 tally to 38 wickets in just 26 innings — a markedly better strike rate than Bhuvneshwar, who had needed 31 innings to reach his 37-wicket haul in 2022. The two victims on Saturday were Tim Seifert, dismissed early in the innings, and Glenn Phillips, removed later after a damaging knock.
Where Arshdeep Stands Globally
The milestone places the Punjab-born pacer third on the all-time list of most T20I wickets in a calendar year among players from full-member nations. He sits just one wicket behind Ireland's Josh Little, who holds the outright record with 39 wickets in 2022, and is level with Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga, who claimed 38 wickets in 2024.
The full standings among full-member nations:
39 — Josh Little (Ireland), 2022
38 — Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), 2024
38 — Arshdeep Singh (India), 2026
37 — Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India), 2022
Match Context: New Zealand Fight Back
Arshdeep's early strike was pivotal in restricting New Zealand to 43 for 3 at the end of the powerplay, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Prince Yadav also claiming wickets in that phase. However, the hosts staged a determined recovery thereafter.
Glenn Phillips (70 off 43 balls) and Bevon Jacobs (58 off 46 balls) forged a match-defining 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket, lifting New Zealand from a precarious 41 for 3 after 5.2 overs to a competitive total of 180 for 5 in their 20 overs. Notably, the match was played on the same venue and the same pitch used in the high-scoring first T20I.
Arshdeep's Landmark Season
The 2026 calendar year has been a career-defining one for Arshdeep. His ability to take wickets in the powerplay as well as at the death has made him India's most potent T20I bowling weapon this year. This milestone also comes amid a broader resurgence of Indian pace bowling in the shortest format, underscoring the depth of the country's seam-bowling talent. With the series still ongoing, Arshdeep has further opportunities to extend his record tally.
Point of View
A role that was long considered a weakness. The counterpoint worth watching: as Bhuvneshwar returns to the side, workload management and bowling-order logic will be tested — two records held by teammates in the same squad is a selection conversation waiting to happen.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Arshdeep Singh set in T20Is in 2026?
Arshdeep Singh set the record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in T20 Internationals in a single calendar year, reaching 38 wickets in 2026. He surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's previous record of 37 wickets, set in 2022.
How does Arshdeep Singh's record compare globally?
Among players from full-member nations, Arshdeep ranks third all-time for most T20I wickets in a calendar year. He sits behind Ireland's Josh Little (39 wickets in 2022) and Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga (38 wickets in 2024).
How many innings did Arshdeep take to reach 38 wickets compared to Bhuvneshwar?
Arshdeep Singh reached his 38 wickets in just 26 innings, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar had needed 31 innings to claim his 37 wickets in 2022, highlighting Arshdeep's superior strike rate in the record-setting year.
Who were Arshdeep Singh's wickets in the match where he set the record?
Arshdeep dismissed Tim Seifert early in the innings and Glenn Phillips later on, finishing with figures of 2 for 33 in the second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 24 October 2026.
What was the match result context when Arshdeep set the record?
New Zealand posted 180 for 5 in the 2nd T20I, recovering from 41 for 3 through a 116-run fourth-wicket stand between Glenn Phillips (70 off 43 balls) and Bevon Jacobs (58 off 46 balls). India had restricted the hosts to 43 for 3 at the end of the powerplay with Arshdeep leading the charge.
