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Typically, batsmen often steal the spotlight with their explosive performances in the T20I format while the contributions of bowlers can sometimes be forgotten. T20I matches usually earn recognition when the batters’ explosive performance, like smashing sixes, thrilling run chases, and so on.
India has produced a remarkable lineup of bowlers in this fast-paced format. Each of them are capable of staying one step ahead of the batters.
In this article, we’ll explore the Indian bowlers who have claimed the most wickets in T20 cricket.
Top 5 Indian batters with most wickets in T20Is
| Player | Match | Balls | Overs | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Average | Economy |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 80 | 1764 | 294.0 | 2409 | 96 | 6/25 | 25.09 | 8.19 |
| Bhubaneshwar kumar | 87 | 1791 | 298.3 | 2079 | 90 | 5/4 | 23.10 | 6.96 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 70 | 1509 | 251.3 | 1579 | 89 | 3/7 | 17.74 | 6.27 |
| Hardik Pandya | 103 | 1643 | 273.5 | 2231 | 87 | 4/16 | 25.64 | 8.14 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 55 | 1138 | 189.4 | 1571 | 86 | 4/9 | 18.26 | 8.28 |
Yuzvendra Chahal – 96 wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal made his T20I debut on June 18, 2016, during a series in Zimbabwe. The veteran leg spinner, who usually showcases his prowess in the middle overs, is leading the list of Indian bowlers with the most wickets in T20. Despite his record in the format, he has been sidelined from India’s T20I side for some time, having last played in this format on August 13, 2023, against the West Indies in Lauderhill.
He has so far claimed 96 wickets in 80 matches at an average of 25.09 and an economy rate of 8.19. The 34-year-old’s standout performance came in 2017 against England, where he finished with impressive figures of 6/25. Additionally, his record figures in the Indian Premier League (IPL) most wickets chart also highlight just how brilliant he is in this format.
Highlights of Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling records in T20Is
- Most wickets in T20 International career: 96 (19th)
- Best figures in an innings: 6/25 (21st)
- Outstanding bowling analyses in an innings: 6/25 (20th)
- Most consecutive four-wickets-in-an-innings: 2 (1st)
- Most balls bowled in career: 1764 (17th)
- Most wickets taken lbw: 13 (11th)
- Most wickets taken stumped: 12 (5th)
- Fastest to 50 wickets: 34 (19th)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 90 wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the veteran fast bowler, is known for his excellence in seam and death-bowling skills in Twenty20 cricket. He is currently sitting second in the list, having picked up 90 wickets in 87 matches at an average of 23.10.
The 34-year-old is renowned for his ability to swing the ball and deliver key breakthroughs, throughout the years. He has rescued India in various pressure situations, specifically during the powerplay and death overs. His precision with the new ball in this format is also noteworthy.
Highlights of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bowling records in T20Is
- Most wickets in T20 International career: 90 (25th)
- Best figures in an innings: 5/4 (29th)
- Most wickets in a calendar year: 37 (9th)
- Outstanding bowling analyses in an innings: 5/4 (5th)
- Best figures in an innings when on the losing side: 4 (25th)
- Best economy rate in an innings: 1 (42nd)
- Most four-wickets-in-an-innings in a career: 5 (7th)
Jasprit Bumrah- 89 Wickets
Jasprit Bumrah is regarded as one of the premier fast bowlers India has ever produced. The ace speedster is renowned for his knack for delivering crucial breakthroughs, using a combination of yorkers, slower balls, and crooked bouncers. The 30-year-old has the ability to consistently take wickets at crucial moments. He has so far picked up 89 wickets in 70 T20I appearances, boasting an economy rate of 6.27.
Highlights of Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling records in T20Is
- Most wickets in T20 International career: 89 (26th)
- Most balls bowled in career: 1509 (27th)
- Most wickets taken bowled: 34 (6th)
- Fastest to 50 wickets: 41 (49th)
- Most player-of-the-series awards: 3 (10th)
- Most maidens in career: 12 (2nd)
- Most maidens in an innings: 2 (7th)
Hardik Pandya – 87 wickets
Hardik Pandya is one of India’s standout all-rounders, who has the ability to make significant impact with both bat and ball in T20Is. He is currently the fourth highest wicket-taker for India in the format, having claimed 87 wickets in 103 matches at an average of 25.64 and an economy rate of 8.14 with best figures of 4/16.
The 30-year-old’s effective bowling and the ability to thrive under pressure makes him a game-changer in the format. He has played a crucial role in India’s successful campaign in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Highlights of Hardik Pandya’s bowling records in T20Is
Most Wickets
- Most wickets in T20 International career: 87 (28th)
- Best figures in an innings by a captain: 4 (16th)
Bowling: Hauls
- Most four-wickets-in-an-innings in a career: 3 (23rd)
Bowling: Most Balls Bowled
- Most balls bowled in career: 1643 (20th)
Bowling: Dismissals
- Bowler/batter combinations: 4 (14th)
- Bowler/fielder combinations: 12 (10th)
- Most wickets taken caught: 74 (9th)
- Most wickets taken caught by a fielder: 57 (15th)
- Most wickets taken caught by a wicketkeeper: 17 (3rd)
Fielding: Most Catches
- Most catches in career: 49 (16th)
Individual: Players
- Most matches in career: 103 (26th)
Arshdeep Singh- 86 Wickets
Arshdeep Singh made his international debut in July 2022 in a T20I match against England in Southampton. Since then, he has become an integral part of India’s T20I setup and has emerged as a standout bowler of India in several matches. He was the leading wicket-taker for India in both ICC T20 World Cups he participated in—2022, where he picked up 10 wickets, and 2024, where he claimed 17.
In his 55 T20Is, the 25-year-old has taken 86 wickets at an impressive average of 18.26 and an economy rate of 8.28. He has achieved two four-wicket hauls so far in his career, with his best bowling figures being 4/9, which he achieved against the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Highlights of Arshdeep Singh’s bowling records in T20Is
Bowling records
- Most wickets in T20 International career: 86 (29th)
- Most wickets in a calendar year: 33 (12th)
- Best career strike rate: 13.2 (14th)
Bowling: Dismissals
- Bowler/batter combinations: 4 (14th)
- Most wickets taken caught: 62 (18th)
- Most wickets taken caught by a fielder: 46 (30th)
- Most wickets taken caught by a wicketkeeper: 16 (6th)
- Most wickets taken lbw: 8 (41st)
Bowling: Fastest Career Wickets
- Fastest to 50 wickets: 33 (16th)
Fielding: Most Catches
- Most catches in an innings: 3 (34th)
