Top 5 T20I performances by Indian bowlers in 2025 ft. Kuldeep Yadav

Team India had a memorable year in T20Is in 2025. They played a total of 21 games, winning 15 and losing only three. While one match ended in a tie, two others produced no result. The Men in Blue thus finished 2025 with a win percentage of 71.42 in the T20I format.

India kicked off the year with a thumping 4-1 win over England in home conditions and concluded 2025 with a 3-1 win over South Africa in another home series. In between the two home triumphs, they won the Asia Cup in the UAE without dropping a game (6 wins and one tie). Team India also beat Australia 2-1 in a rain-hit series Down Under.

There were some impressive performances by Indian bowlers in T20Is in 2025. In this feature, we pick the top five T20I performances by Indian bowlers in 2025.

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#5 Varun Chakaravarthy (4-53) vs South Africa in Ahmedabad

Leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is in 2025. In 20 matches, he claimed 36 wickets at an average of 13.19 and an economy rate of 7.08. Varun registered figures of 4-53 in India's last T20I of the year against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India were defending 231 and Varun's four-fer played a big role in their 30-run win.

Varun struck in his first over as Reeza Hendricks (13) chipped a catch to midwicket. Dewald Brevis and Quinton de Kock took on the leg-spinner in his second over, which went for 23 runs. Varun, however, hit back by dismissing Aiden Markram (6) and Donovan Ferreira (0) off consecutive deliveries. He also added the scalp of George Linde (16), who was knocked over by a wrong' un.

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#4 Harshit Rana (3-33) vs England in Pune

Young Team India pacer Harshit Rana played six T20Is in 2025, claiming seven wickets at an average of 24.71 and an economy rate of 10.17. His best figures of 3-33 were registered on debut against England in Pune as the Men in Blue won the fourth T20I of the series by 15 runs.

India were defending a total of 181 in this clash and Harshit played his part by claiming three crucial wickets. Coming in as a concussion sub, he struck with his second ball to dismiss Liam Livingstone (9), who nicked one in the channel to the keeper. Jacob Bethell (6) then miscued an off-cutter to long-on. The debutant had his third when Jamie Overton (19) inside edged a length ball onto his stumps.

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#3 Arshdeep Singh (3-35) vs Australia in Hobart

Team India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is, Arshdeep Singh missed quite a few matches in the year since he could not fit into the team combination. But when he got his chances, the Punjab pacer made them count more often than not. Arshdeep was the Player of the Match for claiming 3-35 against Australia in Hobart in the third T20I of the series.

India bowled first in the game and restricted the Aussies to 186-6. Arshdeep struck in the very first over of the game to dismiss the dangerous Travis Head (6), who skied a catch to mid-off. Josh Inglis (1) then chipped a length ball to fine leg. Arshdeep has his third when Marcus Stoinis (64) was caught at long-on. India won the game by five wickets, chasing down 187 in 18.3 overs.

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#2 Varun Chakaravarthy (5-24) vs England in Rajkot

Varun was the only Indian bowler to claim a five-fer in T20Is in 2025. He registered brilliant figures of 5-24 against England in Rajkot in the third T20I of the five-match series. The leg-spinner was named Player of the Match for his individual brilliance even as India lost the game, failing to chase a target of 172.

(Top 5 T20I performances by Indian bowlers in 2025)

Varun's first wicket was that of Jos Buttler (24), who was caught behind attempting a reverse. Jamie Smith (6) was then caught at deep midwicket, while Overton (0) was knocked over first ball by a quicker one. The spinner also dismissed Brydon Carse (3) and cleaned up Jofra Archer (0) to complete a memorable five-fer.

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#1 Kuldeep Yadav (4-30) vs Pakistan in Dubai

Team India's left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav had a memorable year with the ball in T20Is. In 10 matches, he picked up 21 wickets at an average of 10.23 and an economy rate of 7.04, with two four-fers. His standout performance of 4-30 came in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai.

Bowling first, India restricted Pakistan to 146. Kuldeep's first wicket came when he had Saim Ayub (14) caught at backward point with a ball that gripped. Salman Agha (8) then toe-ended a tossed-up delivery. Kuldeep trapped Shaheen Shah Afridi (0) lbw with a googly on a fullish length and had Faheem Ashraf (0) caught at long off with another floated delivery.

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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert