T20I cricket is a ruthless format for bowlers, leaving little room for error. In the fast-paced 20-over game, even well-executed deliveries can be dispatched for boundaries by aggressive batsmen.
India stands as one of the most successful teams in T20 internationals, with the distinction of being one of only three nations to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup twice. Much of their T20I success can be attributed to the outstanding performances of their bowlers.
List of Indian Bowlers with Five-Wicket Hauls in T20I Cricket
1. Yuzvendra Chahal – 6/25 vs England, Bengaluru, 2017
Yuzvendra Chahal etched his name in history as the first Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in T20I cricket. During the third T20I of England’s 2017 tour of India, Chahal delivered a brilliant spell, taking 6/25 in Bengaluru. Chahal’s sensational performance dismantled England for just 127, after India posted a daunting 202. His victims included big names like Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes.
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 5/24 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2018
In the first T20I of India’s 2018 tour of South Africa, Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a match-winning spell of 5/24. Defending a massive 204-run target, Kumar’s brilliance with the ball helped India defeat South Africa by 28 runs. His key wickets included Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen.
3. Kuldeep Yadav – 5/24 vs England, Manchester, 2018
Kuldeep Yadav’s five-wicket haul (5/24) came in the first T20I of India’s 2018 tour of England. In Manchester, Kuldeep’s superb performance helped restrict England to just 159, with crucial dismissals of Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Chris Jordan. India chased down the target comfortably, with KL Rahul smashing a 54-ball century.
4. Deepak Chahar – 6/7 vs Bangladesh, Nagpur, 2019
Deepak Chahar made history with the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in T20I cricket, claiming 6/7 against Bangladesh in 2019 in Nagpur. Defending a total of 174, Chahar wreaked havoc on Bangladesh’s top order, dismissing Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Mithun early. His magical spell helped India bowl out Bangladesh for 144 and win the match comfortably.
5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 5/4 vs Afghanistan, Dubai, 2022
Bhuvneshwar Kumar put on another stellar show in the 2022 Men’s T20 Asia Cup against Afghanistan in Dubai. India posted a strong total of 212/2, with Virat Kohli’s brilliant 122-run innings. Bhuvneshwar followed it up by taking 5/4, with his early strikes leaving Afghanistan reeling at 21/6 after seven overs. India triumphed by 101 runs, thanks to his match-winning performance.
6. Kuldeep Yadav – 5/17 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2023
Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball in the third T20I of India’s 2023 tour of South Africa, claiming 5/17 in Johannesburg. After India posted 201/7, Kuldeep’s spell helped bowl out South Africa for a mere 95, securing a comfortable victory for India.
7. Varun Chakravarthy – 5/17 vs South Africa, Gqeberha, 2024
In a stunning return to T20I cricket, Varun Chakravarthy claimed a career-best 5/17 against South Africa in Gqeberha in 2024. His outstanding bowling performance nearly guided India to victory, but despite his heroics, India lost by three wickets while defending a modest total of 124.
8. Varun Chakravarthy – 5/24 vs England, Rajkot, 2025
Varun Chakravarthy claimed his second T20I five-wicket haul in the third T20I of England’s 2025 tour of India in Rajkot. He made excellent use of the slow pitch, drawing false shots from the English batsmen to finish with 5/24. His brilliant spell helped India defend a challenging total.