Axar Patel Rewrites India's Record Books With 100 T20I Wickets

Axar Patel completes 100 T20I wickets for India | Source - AFP

On a day when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his much-awaited India debut, Axar Patel also created history for the Men in Blue in the IND vs ENG 2nd T20I at the Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday evening.

Having made his debut in 2015, the left-arm orthodox spinner became the first tweaker for India to bag 100 wickets in the shortest format.

Overall, only Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have more T20I wickets for the Men in Blue than Axar.

The legends for Axar Patel for India's T20I revolution

Axar Patel is one of the few cricketers to win multiple T20 World Cups, having contributed highly in both the 2024 and 2026 editions. Moreover, the 32-year-old all-rounder was the vice-captain for India in the latter tournament.

In the 2026 T20 World Cup, Axar Patel was one of the top wicket-takers for India, taking 11 wickets in seven matches. However, his spotlight moment came in the semifinal against England, when he leapfrogged at the deep to dismiss Harry Brook in mid-air. Additionally, the DC captain scored a vital cameo in the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados.

In 98 T20I matches, the left-arm spinner has taken 100 wickets at an average of 21.51 with an economy rate of 7.37. What's more, he has also racked up 736 runs, with an ability to bat anywhere in the middle order, making him a high-utility player.

Axar Patel acing after Ravindra Jadeja era

Axar Patel's prowess has been a vital asset for Team India, especially after Ravindra Jadeja's exit from the shortest format. Not just the T20Is, but he is currently being considered ahead of the Saurashtra all-rounder in ODIs.

During the recently concluded ODI series against Afghanistan, Axar and Washington Sundar were included in the Indian squad ahead of Jadeja.

However, the spinning all-round trio played key roles in the 2025 Champions Trophy triumph; Axar is looked at as the only front-runner for that spot.

Nevertheless, the 32-year-old has represented India in 71 ODIs, scoring 758 runs at 23.18 and taking 75 wickets at an economy rate of under 4.50. He has equally brilliant in Tests as well, with 688 runs and 57 wickets in 15 matches.

What's happening in IND vs ENG 2nd T20I at Manchester?

Talking about the IND vs ENG 2nd T20I, Abhishek Sharma started off well, while Tilak Varma gave the visitors a flourishing finish as they ended the innings on 190/7.

Although India ended on a below-par score, Arshdeep Singh bagged two wickets in the first over, as both Phil Salt and Jos Buttler fell for a shameful record. Axar Patel controlled the game in the middle overs, with a spell of 1 for 20, where he gave away just a solitary boundary.

The match might go down to the wire, with both teams eager to gain the upper hand after the series remained level at 0-0 following the washed out first game.