Axar Patel Becomes First Indian Spinner to 100 Wickets in T20Is, Achieves Feat During IND vs ENG 2nd T20I 2026
Axar Patel has made history, becoming the first Indian spinner to take 100 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals. The 32-year-old achieved this remarkable feat during the 2nd T20I against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, on July 4, 2026, solidifying his place as a leading all-rounder in Indian cricket.
Indian spin all-rounder Axar Patel has carved his name into the annals of cricket history, becoming the first Indian slow-bowler to reach the landmark of 100 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals. The momentous achievement unfolded today during the IND vs ENG 2nd T20I 2026 between India and England at the iconic Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Hits Maiden International Six Off RR Teammate Jofra Archer During IND vs ENG 2nd T20I 2026 (Watch Video).
Patel reached the landmark in his 98th T20I appearance, dismissing England captain batter Harry Brook to secure his place in the record books. Brook looked to tired to leg-glance, but the ball found the faintest-glove to the wicket-keeper to handle Patel his first wicket of the contest.
Before this crucial encounter, the 32-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner stood on the cusp of the milestone with 99 T20I wickets to his name. His singular wicket in the match against England ensured he crossed the three-figure mark, solidifying his status as a pivotal figure in India's T20I setup.
The Journey to 100
Born on January 20, 1994, Axar Patel made his T20I debut for India in July 2015 against Zimbabwe. Over the years, he has evolved into a reliable all-rounder, known for his economical bowling and handy contributions with the bat. His consistent performances have seen him become an integral part of the Indian squad, notably contributing to India's T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026, as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy victory.
Prior to Patel's achievement, only three Indian bowlers had breached the 100-wicket barrier in T20Is, all of whom are fast bowlers:
Arshdeep Singh: 131 wickets
Jasprit Bumrah: 121 wickets
Hardik Pandya: 114 wickets
Among Indian spinners, the closest to this record before Axar were Yuzvendra Chahal with 96 wickets and Kuldeep Yadav with 95 wickets. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Handed Team India Debut Cap by Tilak Varma Ahead of IND vs ENG 2nd T20I 2026 (Watch Video).
Recent Form
Axar Patel recently led the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where he picked up 11 wickets from 14 matches at an economy rate of 8.18 and contributed 173 runs with the bat. His all-round prowess continues to make him a vital asset for the Men in Blue across formats.
This landmark wicket not only highlights Axar Patel's individual brilliance but also underscores the growing importance of spin bowling in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket. His achievement will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of Indian spinners.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2026 09:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
