Arshdeep Singh equals Southee’s powerplay record, tells trolls to back off

Arshdeep Singh has equalled Tim Southee’s record for the most powerplay wickets in T20I cricket, reaching the milestone during India’s fifth T20I against New Zealand at Hamilton on November 1. The same week, he found himself dealing with a messier opponent: the social media trolls who have spent days attacking his partner, Samreen Kaur.

The Times of India confirmed the feat, placing arshdeep singh alongside Southee atop the all-time powerplay wickets list. It’s a metric that separates genuine new-ball threats from the rest. The first six overs are when batters swing hardest and when bowlers get punished the most; owning that phase means a bowler can set up entire innings.

History at Hamilton

Southee’s record stood as one of the format’s benchmarks, built on years of consistent early breakthroughs across conditions. Arshdeep reached the mark with the kind of bowling that has become his signature: a full, swinging delivery in the opening overs that beats the bat or takes the outside edge. It is not flashy, but it is relentlessly effective. Drawing level with such a prolific name is a statement of intent.

That an Indian left-armer drew level with a New Zealand great on New Zealand soil adds a touch of symmetry. Hamilton witnessed it, and regardless of the result, this was one of those individual feats that outlasts a single game. The beauty of a record like this is that it doesn’t rely on a single spell; it rewards years of turning up and delivering in the toughest phase of an innings.

Trolls turn on Samreen Kaur

While the cricket world applauded, another battle raged on social media. A section of fans has been accusing Kaur of dating Arshdeep for “money and fame.” The Indian Express reported that she responded directly to these charges, refusing to stay silent. NDTV reported she said she is “blocking everyone” and ending her silence over the harassment she described. It is a measure of how toxic things had got that blocking was the only option left.

Arshdeep’s response was brief but pointed. “To all the people too concerned for what we should and what we shouldn’t do, please take a break. Live and let live.” That line captures the frustration of an athlete who would rather be judged by his bowling than his personal life.

The pattern is familiar. When a cricketer succeeds, a corner of the internet decides his personal choices are fair game. Women partners bear the brunt, accused of riding on a player’s fame or distracting him from his craft. None of it survives scrutiny, but that has rarely stopped anyone with a keyboard.

Karthik’s rotation call

Meanwhile, the conversation around the team has moved to selection. Dinesh Karthik, the former wicketkeeper turned commentator, has proposed resting Arshdeep and Abhishek Sharma for the final T20I. His reasoning, as reported by ABP News, is to make room for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to return to the side.

Rotation makes sense in a bilateral series, especially with a long international calendar ahead. Arshdeep has been a workhorse in white-ball cricket, and managing his workload is sensible. But there is also a case for letting a man in red-hot form keep playing, particularly when a record is within reach.

Fame’s flip side

The final T20I will settle the selection question. If arshdeep singh plays, he has a shot at standing alone atop the powerplay list. If he is rested, he leaves Hamilton level with Southee, having done enough to prove his class either way.

For an ordinary fan in India, this week was a reminder that the man wearing the blue jersey is also a person with a private life. The trolls who flood his timeline may not care, but the message was delivered: take a break, live and let live.

Frequently Asked Questions

What record did Arshdeep Singh equal?

Arshdeep Singh equalled Tim Southee's record for the most powerplay wickets in T20I cricket. He reached the milestone during India's fifth T20I against New Zealand at Hamilton on November 1. The Times of India confirmed the feat, putting him level with the New Zealand great atop the all-time list.

Why is Samreen Kaur receiving online abuse?

Trolls have been accusing Samreen Kaur of dating Arshdeep Singh for "money and fame." The Indian Express reported she hit back at the accusation directly. NDTV reported she said she is "blocking everyone" and ending her silence over the harassment. Arshdeep then asked trolls to "take a break" and respect their privacy.

What did Arshdeep Singh say in response?

Arshdeep posted a direct response on social media: "To all the people too concerned for what we should and what we shouldn't do, please take a break. Live and let live." He was replying to trolls who had been attacking his partner Samreen Kaur online, accusing her of dating him for money and fame.

Will Arshdeep Singh play the final T20I?

It's not confirmed. Dinesh Karthik has proposed resting Arshdeep and Abhishek Sharma for the final T20I to make room for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to return. The decision rests with team management and depends on workload considerations.