In a spectacular display of pace bowling, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh etched his name into the record books by registering the best bowling figures by an Indian in T20 World Cup history.

His extraordinary four-wicket haul came during the Group ‘A’ match against the USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday.

Arshdeep’s masterful spell was instrumental in restricting the USA to a modest 110 for 8, giving India a significant upper hand in this crucial group stage encounter.

See Also: India vs USA: Can team India secure super 8 berth with victory in New York?

Arshdeep Singh’s Historic Spell

Arshdeep Singh’s bowling figures of 4-0-9-4 are now the best ever by an Indian in the T20 World Cup. His record-breaking figures surpass previous bests by Indian bowlers in T20 World Cups. Ravichandran Ashwin’s 4/11 against Australia in 2014, Harbhajan Singh’s 4/12 against England in 2012, and RP Singh’s 4/13 against South Africa in 2007 are now second to Arshdeep’s 4/9. This performance not only highlights Arshdeep’s prowess but also places him among the greats of Indian cricket.

Winning the Toss

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the USA hoped to set a competitive total. However, they soon found themselves on the back foot as Arshdeep Singh unleashed a series of lethal deliveries, setting the tone for the match.

Early Breakthroughs

Arshdeep’s first over was nothing short of magical. He dismissed USA opener Shayan Jahangir for a golden duck, becoming only the fourth bowler to pick a wicket off the first ball of a T20 World Cup match. He then sent Andries Gous back to the pavilion for a five-ball two, ending his first over with two crucial wickets.

Middle Overs Dominance

Continuing his spell, Arshdeep maintained relentless pressure on the USA batsmen. His second spell saw him getting the better of a set-looking Nitish Kumar in the 15th over before dismissing Harmeet Singh in the 18th. Arshdeep’s 4/9 is also the most economical spell by an Indian with a minimum of four overs bowled.

Bowling Masterclass

Arshdeep’s spell was a masterclass in T20 bowling. He used a variety of deliveries, including yorkers and well-disguised slower balls, to keep the batsmen guessing. His control and precision were exceptional, making it extremely difficult for the American batsmen to score runs freely.

Impact on the Match

Arshdeep’s brilliant bowling restricted the USA to a modest total of 110 for 8. This low score gave India a significant advantage and shifted the momentum firmly in their favor. His performance was crucial in setting the stage for an Indian victory.

Best bowling figures for India in T20 World Cups
4/9 – Arshdeep Singh vs USA, New York, 2024
4/11 – R Ashwin vs AUS, Mirpur, 2014
4/12 – Harbhajan Singh vs ENG, Colombo, 2012
4/13 – RP Singh vs SA, Durban, 2007
4/19 – Zaheer Khan vs IRE, Nottingham, 2009
4/21 – Pragyan Ojha vs BAN, Nottingham, 2009

Two wickets in the first over in this WC
Ruben Trumpelmann vs OMN
Fazalhaq Farooqi vs UGA
Arshdeep Singh vs USA

Bowlers to pick a wicket on first ball of a T20 WC Match
Mashrafe Mortaza (BAN) vs AFG, 2014
Shapoor Zadran (AFG) vs HK, 2014
Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs SCO, 2021
Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs OMAN, 2024
Arshdeep Singh (IND) vs USA, 2024*