IND vs SL 2023: Yuzvendra Chahal set to surpass Bhuvneshwar Kumar as India's leading T20I wicket-taker

Team India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is all set to reach a new milestone in T20Is as India host Sri Lanka in the first T20I match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 3. The leg-spinner requires four wickets to surpass his compatriot Bhuvneshwar Kumar for India's leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket at home.

The 32-year-old spinner has 87 wickets in 71 matches while Bhuvneshwar has scalped 90 wickets in 87 matches in the shortest format. The senior fast bowler has not been picked in the T20I squad against the Islanders and it is likely that Chahal could get past his compatriot in the series. 

Additionally, Chahal also eyes another milestone as he is five wickets shy of joining an elite list of bowlers, who have 50 wickets or more at home in T20Is. In 35 outings at home, the Haryana spinner has scalped 45 wickets, including a 5-wicket haul and two 4-wicket hauls. 

Interestingly, in the duel between the Asian nations in T20Is, Chahal is the leading wicket-taker as he has picked up 20 wickets in just 10 matches. The spinner’s last T20I outing came against New Zealand in November wherein he proved to be costly, leaking runs at a rate of 11.66 with bowling figures of 35 runs in three overs.

India play Sri Lanka in three T20Is

Hardik Pandya-led team India lock horns with neighbours Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series followed by as many ODI matches at home. While regular skipper Rohit Sharma will not feature in the T20I series, the opener will join the side in the ODI series scheduled to be played from January 10.

It is worth mentioning that team India has never lost a home T20I series against the Lankan Lions. In any case, the two sides will be aiming to kickstart their New Year on a high note when they clash at the Wankhede Stadium on January 3.