His bowling figures of 8.5 overs, 2 maidens, 35 runs and 4 wickets announced his arrival on the international stage.

Singh was favoured to Sreesanth for the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy due to his superior economy rate.

[11] Singh was selected to play in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa in September 2007.

Singh's best figures were 4/13 in 4 overs in India's final Super-8 stage match in which they eliminated South Africa from the tournament.

Other cricket experts and former players felt that Singh was selected only because of his close proximity with then Indian captain MS Dhoni.

[19] He was however unexpectedly recalled to the Indian side following their poor World Cup campaign and only made a handful of appearances.

[21] In the second season of the Indian Premier League, Singh was highly successful and he emerged as the highest wicket taker of the tournament, with 23 from 16 matches thereby winning the Purple Cap.

[23] His performance early in the tournament earned him a spot in the Indian squad for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20.