Listing Indian bowlers with 30-plus powerplay wickets in T20I cricket
What's the story
Star left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has equaled Bhuvneshwar Kumar's record for most wickets in powerplay overs for India in T20Is. The 26-year-old achieved this feat during the first T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. He trapped Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs within the first three overs as India recorded a 101-run win. On this note, we list down the Indian bowlers with 30 or more T20I wickets in the powerplay.
Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah - 31 wickets
At number three, we have India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has claimed 31 wickets across 73 innings in this phase at an average of 27.22, as per ESPNcricinfo. The pacer has bowled with an economy of 6.16 in this phase. This highlights his ability to contain the batters despite the field restrictions. Bumrah has been hit for just 17 sixes across 822 balls in this phase.
Bhuvneshwar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - 47 wickets
Known for his ability to swing the ball, Bhuvneshwar was once India's go-to pacer in international cricket. Though the veteran has not played for the Men in Blue for over three years now, his tally of 47 powerplay wickets remains the joint-most for an Indian in T20Is. Having bowled across 83 innings in this phase, Bhuvneshwar recorded an average of 22.02 and an economy of 5.65. These are truly staggering numbers.
Arshdeep
Arshdeep Singh - 47 wickets
As mentioned, Bhuvneshwar shares the top spot on this list with Arshdeep. The latter has recorded 47 wickets in just 66 games as his average in this phase is a sensational 19.89. Arshdeep's economy (7.6) in the powerplay is higher than that of the other bowlers on this list. Meanwhile, only Tim Southee (58) and Shaheen Afridi (55) are ahead of Arshdeep in terms of powerplay wickets in T20Is.