Arshdeep Singh Will he win the World Cup for India? A Year of Learning, Ups, and Downs
In the fast-paced world of T20 internationals, Arshdeep Singh has been a standout performer for India over the past 12 months. With 23 T20Is under his belt since January 2023, no other Indian bowler has been as prolific as Arshdeep, who has notched up an impressive tally of 29 wickets at an average of 24.00 and an economy rate of 9.07.
However, amidst the soaring highs, Arshdeep has faced the challenge of inconsistency in his performances. From conceding 37 runs in two overs against Sri Lanka at the beginning of 2023 to finishing the year with a stellar performance of 2 for 13 in two overs against South Africa in an ODI, Arshdeep reflects on the past year as a “mixed bag.”
“It’s been a mixed bag, these last 12 months,” Arshdeep candidly acknowledges. “There have been good performances, some average ones. I’d say that I have learned a lot, and that experience is helping my game get a lot better.”
The Road to Consistency
As Arshdeep gears up for the third and final T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, he is focused on achieving greater consistency in his performances. Looking back at his journey, he expresses gratitude for the support from the team and the coaching staff.
“I am quite grateful that I am getting this experience; I have been getting a lot of backing from the support staff, from the team. I just want to reduce the ups and downs and be more consistent with my performances and get better results for my team.”
Bengaluru: A City of Redemption
The last time Arshdeep set foot in Bengaluru for a T20I, he found himself in a precarious situation, wondering if he would be the “culprit of the game.” However, he turned the tables and emerged as the hero, defending nine runs in the final over against Australia to help India clinch the series 4-1.
While the upcoming T20I against Afghanistan is a dead rubber with India already leading the series 2-0, Arshdeep and the team are focused on the bigger picture—the impending World Cup in June.
“Our mindset as a team isn’t what the series scoreline is or what has happened in the previous match. Our aim is to improve our game one-two percent after every game and develop new skills,” Arshdeep emphasizes.
Mastering the Art of Adaptation
In pursuit of honing his skills, Arshdeep reveals his focus on a new delivery—specifically designed for slower wickets. “I have been working on a new ball, which will be beneficial on slower wickets,” he shares. “I tried that ball in the last match against the lefties, the ball that moves away after pitching like a leg-cutter. I want to develop more confidence and use that ball more in matches.”
Despite a mixed performance in the ongoing series against Afghanistan, Arshdeep remains optimistic about his ability to adapt. Going wicketless in the first T20I and picking up 3 for 32 in Indore, he faces the challenge of containing batters at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where short boundaries and high scores are the norm.
“As a bowler, I feel we have nothing to lose here [at the Chinnaswamy],” Arshdeep asserts. “The batsmen are under pressure, they feel that they have to score more and more boundaries, and that is where as a bowler you are in the game and can get wickets.”
Rashid Khan’s Road to Recovery
On the other side of the pitch, Afghanistan faces the absence of their influential spinner, Rashid Khan, who recently underwent a minor back surgery. Head coach Jonathan Trott emphasizes the importance of not rushing Rashid back into action.
