Cricket

India's young pacer Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a crucial cog in the team's T20I setup, showcasing his composure and skill under pressure. In the recently concluded third T20I against South Africa in Centurion, Arshdeep played a pivotal role in India's thrilling 11-run victory, dismissing the dangerous Marco Jansen in the final over to secure the win.Jansen had given India a scare, smashing the fastest T20I fifty ever recorded against them, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. His late blitz, including 26 runs off Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over, brought South Africa within touching distance of a miraculous win. However, Arshdeep's calm and accurate bowling in the final over, where he took Jansen's wicket, ensured India held on for the victory.Arshdeep's impressive performance in the match earned him a new milestone—he became the leading wicket-taker among Indian pacers in T20Is, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 90 wickets. Arshdeep achieved the feat in just 59 matches, significantly fewer than the 87 games it took Bhuvneshwar to take his 90 wickets.With 92 wickets, Arshdeep is now second overall in India's all-time T20I wicket-takers list, trailing only Yuzvendra Chahal, who has 96 wickets in 80 matches. Arshdeep has a chance to overtake Chahal in the final T20I match of the series, to be held in Johannesburg on Friday.Arshdeep's rise to prominence has been remarkable. He made his T20I debut in July 2022 and has quickly established himself as a reliable and effective bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl at good pace makes him a potent threat to opposition batters.In the match against South Africa, India posted a massive 219/6 after being put into bat, thanks to Tilak Varma's sensational century (107 off 56 balls) and Abhishek Sharma's quickfire 50 off 25 deliveries. South Africa's chase faltered early, but Jansen's late heroics kept them in the hunt until Arshdeep's final over settled the contest, cementing his status as one of India's finest T20 bowlers.

Arshdeep Singh, the young left-arm pacer, has emerged as a vital cog in India's T20I setup since his debut in 2022. His impressive performances have propelled him to the cusp of a significant milestone in the ongoing series against Bangladesh.With 86 wickets in 52 T20Is, Arshdeep is poised to surpass two legendary Indian bowlers in the T20I wicket-taking charts. After his three-wicket haul in the first T20I in Gwalior, he is just three wickets away from equaling Jasprit Bumrah's tally of 89 wickets in 70 T20Is. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 90 wickets from 87 T20Is, is also within reach.If Arshdeep maintains his current form, he could become India's second-highest T20I wicket-taker by the end of the series. Only Yuzvendra Chahal, with 96 wickets in 80 matches, stands ahead of him. Notably, all of India's top five T20I wicket-takers are still active, highlighting the depth of talent in the team.Arshdeep's rise has been meteoric. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a potent weapon in the powerplay and death overs. His consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him the trust of the Indian team management.As India aims to clinch the series against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on Arshdeep to see if he can surpass these modern-day greats. Currently fifth among India's highest T20I wicket-takers, he trails his teammate Hardik Pandya, who has 87 wickets.India's next two matches are scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi (9 October) and Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad (12 October). Arshdeep will have ample opportunities to etch his name in the history books and further cement his status as one of India's most promising young bowlers.

Pakistan's star all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up about his recent struggles with the bat and ball on the international circuit. Despite his impressive performances in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) Season 5, Shadab admits to facing challenges in delivering for the Pakistan team.In his LPL debut, Shadab made an immediate impact by claiming a hat-trick against the Kandy Falcons. He has since continued to excel, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps. However, Shadab acknowledges that his success in the LPL does not fully reflect his recent struggles at the international level."I was struggling for three months. I hadn't taken a wicket in the last seven international games," Shadab said. "I came here, started bowling, and am now always taking wickets. That is the beauty of cricket. You have to enjoy these types of scenarios as well... sometimes you perform, sometimes you don't. But the process that you follow has to be consistent."Shadab believes that the pitch conditions in the LPL have been favorable for spinners, but he emphasizes the importance of variations for T20 bowlers. "The pitch was helping us as it was a bit slow and gripping a bit... But T20 cricket is very hard nowadays, as 200 is easily changeable. As a spinner, you have to have your variations because on flat tracks, if you don't have variations, you can go for runs. But if you have variation, you can take wickets as well as contain runs," he said.Despite his recent struggles, Shadab remains determined to contribute as an all-rounder for his franchise, the Colombo Strikers. "I am performing for my team, and that is a good sign. I am the main bowler, and if I am taking wickets, that is a positive sign for me and my team. I want to contribute in all three phases. So far, I am contributing in two as a bowler and fielder. Hopefully, I can contribute with the bat too," he concluded.Shadab's recent performances in the LPL have served as a reminder of his immense talent. As he continues to work on his game, he will be eager to replicate his success at the international level and help Pakistan achieve its cricketing goals.

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has ascended to the third spot among India's highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket, surpassing all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Bumrah's remarkable achievement came during India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC T20 World Cup clash at New York's Nassau County International Stadium.Bumrah showcased his lethal bowling prowess, claiming three crucial wickets for just 14 runs in four overs, with an impressive economy rate of 3.50. His victims included Pakistan's star opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, as well as Iftikhar Ahmed.With 79 wickets in 64 T20Is, Bumrah boasts an impressive average of 18.67 and an economy rate of 6.44. His best figures of 3/11 highlight his ability to strike at crucial moments. Hardik Pandya, who previously held the third spot, has 78 wickets in 94 T20Is, with best figures of 4/16.India's leading wicket-taker in the T20I format remains spin veteran Yuzvendra Chahal, who has amassed 96 wickets in 80 games. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's swing specialist, occupies the second spot with 90 wickets in 87 matches.In the match against Pakistan, India's batters struggled on a challenging surface, with star openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to make significant contributions. However, Rishabh Pant's valiant 42 off 31 balls, including six fours, provided some momentum.Pakistan's bowlers, led by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who claimed three wickets each, kept India's total to a modest 119 in 19 overs.In the run-chase, Pakistan adopted a cautious approach, with Mohammed Rizwan anchoring the innings with a steady 31 off 44 balls. However, Bumrah and Hardik Pandya's crucial wickets kept the pressure on Pakistan.With 18 runs required in the final over, Naseem Shah attempted to snatch victory for Pakistan, but Arshdeep Singh's composure ensured India's triumph by six runs.India's victory places them atop Group A with two wins in two games and four points. Pakistan, on the other hand, languishes in fourth place with two losses, diminishing their chances of reaching the knockout stage.Bumrah's match-winning performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award, further solidifying his status as one of the world's premier fast bowlers.

Piyush Chawla Ascends to Second Place in IPL Wicket-Taking HistoryMumbai Indians' seasoned spinner Piyush Chawla etched his name in the annals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history. The 35-year-old achieved this remarkable feat during the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Chawla's historic moment came when he dismissed Rinku Singh, claiming his 184th IPL wicket. This achievement propelled him past former Chennai Super Kings and West Indies pace legend Dwayne Bravo, who had previously held the second spot with 183 wickets.At the pinnacle of the all-time wicket-takers list stands Rajasthan Royals' spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has amassed an impressive 200 wickets. Sunrisers Hyderabad's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Lucknow Super Giants' Amit Mishra complete the top five, with 178 and 174 wickets, respectively.Chawla's journey to this milestone has been marked by consistency and longevity. The leg-spinner has played for several franchises over the years, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, and Chennai Super Kings, before joining Mumbai Indians in 2023.Known for his guile and variations, Chawla has been a key contributor to his teams' success. His ability to bowl economically and pick up crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset in the T20 format.Chawla's achievement is a testament to his skill, dedication, and unwavering determination. It is a fitting tribute to a player who has played a significant role in the growth and popularity of the IPL.