Arshdeep Singh equals unwanted T20I record against South Africa

The pacer conceded 18 runs in the over

India pacer Arshdeep Singh created an unwanted milestone on Thursday after delivering a 13-ball over during the second India vs South Africa T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

The left-arm quick’s chaotic 11th over of the innings — which included seven wides — cost India 18 runs, placing Arshdeep alongside Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq for the longest over ever bowled in T20Is by a full-member nation cricketer.

The incident quickly went viral on social media, with fans expressing shock at the lapse in control from a bowler regarded as one of India’s key death-overs specialists in T20 cricket.

Longest overs in T20 internationals (Full-member teams)

Arshdeep Singh – 13 balls (18 runs) vs South Africa, New Chandigarh 2025

Naveen-ul-Haq – 13 balls (19 runs) vs Zimbabwe, Harare 2024

Sisanda Magala – 12 balls (18 runs) vs Pakistan, Johannesburg 2021

Mark Adair – 11 balls (26 runs) vs Australia, Brisbane 2022

Before this, the longest over bowled by an Indian in T20Is was 11 balls, a record jointly held by Khaleel Ahmed and Hardik Pandya.

Longest overs by Indian bowlers in T20Is

Arshdeep Singh – 13 balls (18 runs) vs South Africa, New Chandigarh 2025

Khaleel Ahmed – 11 balls (11 runs) vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele 2024

Hardik Pandya – 11 balls (19 runs) vs Australia, Adelaide 2016

Arshdeep Singh – 10 balls (13 runs) vs Ireland, New York 2024

Arshdeep Singh – 10 balls (6 runs) vs West Indies, Tarouba 2023

Despite Arshdeep’s expensive over, South Africa powered their way to a commanding 213/4 in 20 overs. Veteran opener Quinton de Kock was the star of the innings with a blistering 90 off 46 balls, smashing seven sixes and five fours to dismantle India’s bowling attack.

For India, Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer with the ball. The mystery spinner bagged 2 for 29 in his four overs, controlling the run rate when most other bowlers struggled.

The match now puts added pressure on India’s bowling unit as the series progresses, while Arshdeep Singh will look to rebound quickly from a forgettable outing that entered the T20I record books for all the wrong reasons.