**Hardik Pandya Becomes India’s Second-Highest Wicket-Taker in T20Is: Key Stats**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Sep 21, 2025, 08:26 PM*
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal to become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20 International (T20I) cricket.
Pandya reached this landmark with his first wicket in the high-profile Super Four Asia Cup match against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With this achievement, he now trails only Arshdeep Singh in the list of India’s leading wicket-takers in T20Is.
**Pandya Surpasses Chahal**
Playing his 118th T20I, Hardik Pandya has quickly amassed 97 wickets at an average of over 26, according to ESPNcricinfo. He boasts three four-wicket hauls, with his best bowling figures being 4/16. Pandya maintains an economy rate of around 8.2 runs per over.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who has 96 wickets to his name, is now India’s third-highest T20I wicket-taker. Notably, Chahal has not played an international match in over two years.
**Only Behind Arshdeep Singh**
In India’s previous match against Oman, Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to reach 100 wickets in T20Is. Pandya is fast approaching this milestone, with other pacers like Jasprit Bumrah (91+) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (90) also among the elite group of Indian bowlers with 90 or more T20I wickets.
**Batting Prowess: Over 1,800 Runs**
Apart from his bowling exploits, Pandya has also been impressive with the bat, scoring 1,813 runs at an average of 27.46. He has registered five half-centuries and maintains a striking rate of 141.64, making him a formidable all-rounder.
Pandya is on the verge of becoming only the third T20I all-rounder to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets, joining Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (2,551 runs and 149 wickets) and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi (2,357 runs and 102 wickets).
With this remarkable blend of batting and bowling skills, Hardik Pandya continues to be a vital asset for Indian cricket in the shortest format.
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