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 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 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.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has urged India to start the England Tests with Arshdeep Singh in its high-stakes Test affair, with the series opener scheduled for June 20 at Headingley.
Arshdeep Singh is very skillful- Ricky Ponting
Australia legend Ricky Ponting believes that India will benefit from playing left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in England, predicting the left-arm pacer to make good use of the Duke’s ball. Arshdeep received his maiden Test call-up as the selectors named an 18-man squad for the England tour earlier this month.
The 26-year-old fast bowler has played 9 ODIs and 63 T20Is since making his debut in July 2022. He has taken a combined 113 wickets in them. Ponting has closely worked with the Indian in the capacity of the head coach of IPL franchise Punjab Kings.
Ricky Ponting has monitored the left-arm speedster’s growth during their time at Punjab Kings in the ongoing 18th season of the IPL. The ICC Hall of Famer has put his faith in Arshdeep’s character, work ethic, and technical strength, which he believes make him an indispensable asset for the newly crowned Test captain, Shubman Gill.
Ponting says he would be surprised if India exclude Arshdeep from their playing XI.
“I think it’s (call-up) well deserved,” Ponting told ICC.
“I think he’ll (Arshdeep) bowl well in England as well. I would actually have him in their Test team at the start. He’s very skillful. I think the Duke’s ball will help him in the UK as well. And I just think to have that point of difference, having a left-armer in your team, I think will be something that, if India don’t do it, then it’ll be a bit of a surprise to me.”
While representing Kent last year during his County Championship spell, Arshdeep Singh scythed 13 scalps in five Division 1 games, with figures of 3/58 standing out as his best.
“He’s played county cricket and he knows the conditions there as well,” Ponting observed.
“Arshdeep is close to six-foot-four, so he’s going to get decent bounce…as we know in England, the ball still swings when it is 30, 40 or 50 overs old. To have someone that’s got that swing bowling ability and a left-armer, I think is something that the Indian team should definitely look out for on that tour,” he added.
Ponting says Arshdeep Singh is a laid-back guy and is fun to be around.
“I’ve had a good chance to get to know him (Arshdeep) really well. He’s a great character to have around the team. He’s a fun-loving guy. He’s very laid-back around the group, which is great. Which is what we all like,” he concluded
As India prepares for the challenging English tour, Ponting’s support underscores the potential impact Arshdeep Singh could have in the Test arena for England series in 2025.
Also Read:Â ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball