So, Rohit Sharma has already retired, and there are confirmed reports coming in, that Virat Kohli is done in the longest format as well. That means, two youngsters will get a chance in the India squad for the India vs England series. But the young side will now have to not only try and look to win their first series in England since 2007, but also wash away the sorrows of the lost series’ against New Zealand at home, and vs Australia, Down Under.
India Need Variety in Pace Attack
Spin proved to be the detrimental factor at home, and perhaps what India lacked in Australia was, a support bowler for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. If we just talk about the pace attack, one area lacking in the entire series, or rather for last few years has been absence of a left-arm pacer. So, could Arshdeep Singh fill that void?
Well, in the last Ranji season, he played two matches and picked up only four wickets, so that doesn’t say much, but then given his exploits in white-ball cricket and also his stint in County Cricket in 2023, the question is why not? In 21 FC matches so far in his career he has picked up 66 wickets.. And during his stint at Kent in division 1, he picked up 13 wickets.
Arshdeep Singh Could be the Answer
Even though his numbers might not be brilliant, but then where he really makes a strong case is — he offers great variety to the team. He can be a potent option while bowling the outswingers, and can also make the ball come into the batter. He could be a perfect third bowling option for India, along with the likes of Japsrit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Siraj.
Add Prasidh Krishna and Shradul Thakur to the mix, and then India can rotate these bowlers — given the injury-prone bodies of Bumrah and Shami. Nonetheless, he is already one of the best in T20s, and is India’s highest wicket-taker in the format. In 63 encounters he has 99 wickets, and that should be enough for the selectors to consider him.
Numbers Not Great, But Bowler Is
In fact, he had told Cricket.com in 2023, “Growing up, you always dream of playing (in Tests) for the country. Winning a World Cup is also a target that a youngster sets for himself. I do dream of donning the whites and bowling with that red cherry.
“I want to play all three formats, and whenever I have spoken to Jassi bhai, he has told me, “ Tere ko tin ho format khelna hai. White ball khelega toh achha hai, but jab tu red ball khelega (You have to play all three formats. Playing white ball is good, but when you play red ball), you can create a legacy…”
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