After establishing himself as a mainstay for India in the shortest format of cricket, Arshdeep Singh was supposed to take his first steps towards cementing his place in the red-ball format. With Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar hinting at the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah’s unavailability for all five Tests, the 26-year-old Arshdeep Singh stands a chance of enchanting the spectators with his mastery of the art of swing.
Apart from his exploits in the T20Is, Arshdeep Singh has been a silent hero in India’s domestic red-ball circuit. In 21 first-class fixtures, Arshdeep Singh has tormented the opposition and scalped 66 wickets to establish his supremacy.The 26-year-old Arshdeep Singh is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is. However, he has never had the opportunity to represent the national team in the red-ball format. This, however, might change next month as he has been named in India’s 18-man squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
Arshdeep Singh’s excellent performance in T20I and ODI format for India
India pacer Arshdeep Singh had an excellent outing in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps to his name. India won the T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados on June 29. Apart from Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah was one of the primary reasons for India’s T20 World Cup win. Bumrah picked 15 wickets in the tournament at economy of 4.17 and earned the Player of the Tournament award.
Together, Arshdeep Singh and Bumrah bowled excellently well with the new ball at the start and then came back to choke the opposition in the death overs as well. Arshdeep Singh made his T20I debut for India on July 10, 2022, against England in Southampton and has played 52 matches in the shortest format so far, in addition to making six ODI appearances for the Men in Blue. With 79 wickets to his name, the Punjab-based cricketer is the fifth-leading wicket-taker for India in T20Is.
Arshdeep Singh made his T20I debut for India on July 10, 2022, against England in Southampton and has played 52 matches in the shortest format so far, in addition to making six ODI appearances for the Men in Blue. With 79 wickets to his name, the Punjab-based cricketer is the fifth-leading wicket-taker for India in T20Is.
Arshdeep Singh played a big role in helping India end the 11-year wait for an ICC trophy last month by finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024. The 25-year-old left-arm pacer picked up 17 wickets in eight matches for the Men in Blue and helped them become T20 World Cup winners again after 17 years. After India’s win in the T20 World Cup 2024, Arshdeep Singh expressed his desire to play Test cricket for India. He has played 16 first-class matches so far and has picked up 49 wickets.
Arshdeep Singh’s domestic red-ball record includes 66 wickets in 21 first-class matches, and he has been a consistent performer in India’s T20I setup. With uncertainties surrounding the availability of senior pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Ponting’s endorsement adds weight to the argument for Arshdeep Singh’s Test debut. However the left arm swing bowler was in contention for his debut at Manchester where the pitch supports pacers a lot and India could have tempted to hand a debut to Arshdeep Singh.
Arshdeep Singh’s injury – A massive headache to India’s Team selection dilemna ahead of 4th Test at Manchester
India’s were dealt with a new blow as Arshdeep Singh injured himself during training ahead of their fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. The left-arm pacer suffered a cut on his bowling hand on Thursday, according to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
Based on a TOI report, Singh sustained the cut while attempting stop a shot from Sai Sudharsan in his follow-through. The 26-year-old was immediately examined by the BCCI medical team. Singh, who is yet to make his Test debut, was in contention for the fourth Test.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that Singh was rushed to the doctor, and whether he needs stitches will determine his availability.Ajinkya Rahane, India’s former vice-captain, has backed young pacer Arshdeep Singh as a potential replacement for Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming Manchester Test.
This comes amid speculation that Bumrah could be rested to manage his workload. Although Arshdeep Singh is yet to make his Test debut, he has experience playing red-ball cricket in England and was part of Kent County Cricket Club earlier this year.
Arshdeep Singh can create rough for spinners- Ajinkya Rahane
Former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has advised India to pick Arshdeep Singh in the XI for the Manchester Test in case Jasprit Bumrah gets rested to manage his workload. Arshdeep is yet to make his Test debut but has experience of playing red-ball cricket in England. The left-arm pace played county cricket for Kent in 2023, where he picked 13 wickets in 5 matches. Meanwhile, there are rumours of India’s plan to rest Bumrah for the fourth Test to manage his workload.
Ajinkya Rahane has expressed strong confidence in Arshdeep’s suitability for English conditions, singling out Old Trafford as a venue where his abilities could be particularly valuable. He emphasised that Arshdeep’s left-arm angle and his capacity to swing the ball both ways are significant assets on pitches that reward seam and swing.
“I think so, yes. If Bumrah is not playing, Arshdeep is the guy. Because in England, you need a left-arm seamer who can swing the ball both ways, and also, with a different angle, he can create that rough for the spinners. So, if Bumrah doesn’t play, Arshdeep should play the next one,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
Arshdeep Singh’s injury invited a huge selection headache for the Indian captain Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir. Had Arshdeep played in Manchester, the Indian team would have got the luxury to rest Jasprit Bumrah at Old Trafford, keeping his workload management in mind.
In case, Arshdeep Singh doesn’t gets fit in time, India might be forced to play Bumrah in the fourth Test. In the Lord’s Test, that India lost, India played three front-line pacers in Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. The fourth Test starts from July 23.
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