Arshdeep Singh or Haris Rauf: Which bowler has better numbers in T20I cricket?

Arshdeep vs Rauf in T20Is [Source: AFP Photo]

India vs Pakistan has been a heated rivalry in the ongoing Asia Cup, and the battle between the two teams has been supreme. India has clearly dominated the proceedings on the pitch, courtesy of their brilliant all-round skills. The two teams have some quality bowlers in their ranks, but none more skilful than Haris Rauf and Arshdeep Singh.

Interestingly, the two best speedsters are yet to stamp their authority in the ongoing Asia Cup. While Rauf has been below par, Arshdeep has yet to play a game in the tournament. With many touting them as the best pacers in T20Is, we look at the stats to determine which of the two bowlers has better T20I numbers.

Arshdeep Singh vs Haris Rauf: overall T20I stats

(Arshdeep vs Rauf overall T20I stats)

• Interestingly, Arshdeep broke Rauf’s record of the fastest pacer to grab 100 T20I wickets, and if we go by stats, Arshdeep certainly has better T20I numbers.
• In 64 games, he has 100 wickets, and while the economy remains the same for both bowlers (8.31), the Indian seamer has a better average (18.49 as compared to Rauf’s 20.99). Hence, if we go by the overall data, the left-arm seamer pips Rauf.

Arshdeep Singh vs Haris Rauf: T20I stats at home

Rauf vs Arshdeep T20I stats at home

• There is not much to separate the two pacers if we look at their home stats, since their average is almost identical. However, the one area where Haris Rauf surpasses Arshdeep is the economy rate.
• While Arshdeep has an economy of 9.16, Rauf has an economy of 8.48, which marginally makes him better than the Indian bowler.
• Both India and Pakistan produce flat tracks for T20Is at home, and Rauf’s economy suggests that he has better skills to contain runs on batting surfaces.

Arshdeep Singh vs Haris Rauf: away T20I stats

(Rauf and Arshdeep away from home)

• If Rauf won the battle at home, Arshdeep beats him in away conditions. The left-arm seamer has a better average (17.28), but moreover, has a better economy rate (7.95 as compared to Rauf’s 8.82).
• This showcases that in tricky away conditions, Arshdeep has outsmarted the Pakistan pacer across different criteria.

Arshdeep Singh vs Haris Rauf: T20I stats in neutral venues

(Arshdeep vs Rauf in neutral conditions)

• There is not much to separate the two bowlers in neutral venues. Arshdeep has more neutral wickets in fewer matches, but Rauf has a better economy rate compared to Arshdeep, and hence the odds get even.

Why Arshdeep has an edge over Rauf

Yes, Rauf has picked a plethora of T20I wickets, but what separates him and Arshdeep is the fact that the Indian pacer has performed when it matters the most. He was the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup in 2024, and finished with 17 wickets, at an average of 12.64, and helped India win the tournament

Meanwhile, Rauf often crumbles when it matters the most, and hence, due to his performances in the major ICC events, Arshdeep gets the nod as the better T20I bowler of the two.

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