Axar Patel Becomes India's First Spinner to 100 T20I Wickets
The left-arm orthodox bowler achieved the landmark during the second T20I against England in Manchester.
Axar Patel etched his name in Indian cricket history on Saturday, becoming the first Indian spinner to take 100 wickets in T20I cricket. The milestone came during the second T20I against England at Old Trafford. Debuting in 2015, the 32-year-old has been a key figure in India's T20I setup.
Only Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya have more T20I wickets for India than Axar. His 100 wickets have come at an average of 21.51 and an economy of 7.37 across 98 matches. Beyond bowling, he has contributed 736 runs, showcasing his value as a reliable middle-order batter.
Axar has been instrumental in India's T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026, serving as vice-captain in the latter. He took 11 wickets in the 2026 edition, with a standout catch in the semifinal against England. His ability to step up after Ravindra Jadeja's retirement from T20Is has solidified his place in the team.