Arshdeep Singh etched his name in cricket history during the thrilling third T20I match between South Africa and India at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion on Wednesday (November 13). The Men in Blue bounced back from the previous defeat and took a 2-1 lead in the ongoing four-match T20I series against South Africa.
In a thrilling showdown in Centurion, Arshdeep Singh contributed 3/37 in his four overs in India’s narrow 11-run win over the South Africa cricket team in the third T20I encounter at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion on Wednesday.
Arshdeep Singh becomes India’s second-highest T20I wicket-taker in Centurion T20I
With this stunning performance in Centurion, Arshdeep Singh has become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. Arshdeep’s standout performance against the Proteas side helped him to overtake India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah (89) and veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (90).
Now, the 25-year-old pacer is just four wickets away from overtaking Yuzvendra Chahal’s record of India’s highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. Yuzvendra Chahal is currently leading the chart with 96 wickets in 79 T20I matches at an economy rate of 8.19 and an average of 25.09.
On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh has so far managed 92 wickets across 59 innings at an impressive average of 18.47 and an economy rate of 8.34. He has now a great chance to surpass Chahal and become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket when the Men in Blue take on South Africa in the fourth and final T20I match on November 15 in Johannesburg.
Arshdeep Singh shine bright with the ball in the 3rd T20I against South Africa
Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh’s lethal bowling proved crucial for India in holding South Africa’s run chase at bay, as he struck early with the new ball and wrapped up in style during the death overs, claiming three wickets while conceding 37 runs in his quota of four overs in Centurion.
The star paceman took the crucial wickets of Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen in the third T20I match in Centurion. His latest achievement further cemented his reputation as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team in T20I cricket.
Speaking about the third T20I match, South Africa opted to field after winning the toss, and the tourists got an explosive start from Abhishek Sharma (50 runs off 25 balls) and Tilak Varma (107 runs off 56 balls) after the opener Sanju Samson fell cheaply for a duck in Centurion.
Abhishek and Tilak’s fiery knocks carried India to a strong total of 219/6, with the rest of the lineup struggling to maintain the momentum. South African bowlers Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj each claimed two wickets, but the young batter had already laid the strong groundwork for India.
Tilak Varma delivers ‘Player of the Match’ show in Centurion
South Africa started their chase aggressively, which kept the pressure on India’s bowlers, but Arshdeep’s disciplined approach and timely breakthroughs, supported by Varun Chakaravarthy’s tight bowling, ultimately swung the game in India’s favor. Varun took two wickets while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel each managed one wicket to help India win the game by 11 runs.
Tilak Varma’s stunning century earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award after Team India took a 2-1 lead in the ongoing four-match T20I series against South Africa. The final game is set to be played at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.
