In a gripping encounter at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Arshdeep Singh etched his name into the annals of Punjab Kings (PBKS) history by becoming the franchise’s highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during a rain-curtailed match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday night. This landmark achievement came in a contest that showcased high-octane cricket despite the moody Bengaluru weather reducing the game to a 14-over-a-side affair.
The defining moment arrived in the very first over of the match, as Arshdeep, the fiery left-arm pacer, struck gold by dismissing RCB’s explosive opener Phil Salt. Bowling a deceptive shorter delivery around the leg stump, Arshdeep tempted Salt into a wild swing, resulting in a top edge. Josh Inglis, with sharp reflexes, completed a diving catch after a short sprint, sending the stadium into a frenzy. This wicket marked Arshdeep’s 85th scalp for PBKS, surpassing the legendary Piyush Chawla’s tally of 84 wickets. Notably, Arshdeep achieved this feat in just his 72nd match for the franchise, compared to Chawla’s 87 games, underlining his meteoric rise as a bowling spearhead.
Adding context to this milestone, Arshdeep’s consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have made him a cornerstone of PBKS’s bowling attack since his debut in 2019. The 26-year-old from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, has grown from a raw talent into one of the most reliable death-over specialists in the IPL, blending raw pace with clever variations. His journey reflects dedication, with his tally placing him ahead of other PBKS stalwarts like Sandeep Sharma (73 wickets), Axar Patel (69 wickets), and Mohammed Shami (58 wickets).
Setting the stage for this clash, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing the advantage of chasing on a rain-affected pitch. ‘It’s a good ground to chase, especially in a shortened game. We’ll get a fair idea of how the wicket plays,’ Iyer remarked post-toss. Strategic changes were evident in PBKS’s lineup, with Marcus Stoinis replacing Glenn Maxwell and Harpreet Brar earning a spot, aiming to exploit the conditions with spin.
On the points table, both teams are neck-and-neck, with RCB positioned at No. 3 and PBKS at No. 4, each boasting four wins from six matches. However, RCB holds a slight edge with a superior net run rate, making every encounter a critical battle for playoff contention. The lineups for the match reflected tactical intent—RCB fielded a power-packed batting unit led by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, while PBKS relied on a balanced mix of youth and experience, with Arshdeep leading the bowling charge.
Playing XIs:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal.
Impact Subs: Devdutt Padikkal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh.
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact Subs: Prabhsimran Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Suryansh Shedge, Glenn Maxwell, Praveen Dubey.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, Arshdeep’s record-breaking performance serves as a reminder of his transformative impact on PBKS. With the team eyeing a deep playoff run, his form will be pivotal. Can Arshdeep continue to weave his magic and propel Punjab Kings to glory? Only time will tell, but for now, the spotlight firmly belongs to this champion pacer.