Subhayan Chakraborty in Perth
Arshdeep Singh reckons ‘form’ is just a word for Virat Kohli after the veteran Indian batter registered his first duck on Australian soil in ODIs in the first ODI at Perth Stadium. It wasn’t the best return for Kohli, who featured for India after a break of more than seven months, as he was dismissed for nought after lasting eight deliveries while attempting a flashy drive off Mitchell Starc. India suffered a seven-wicket defeat (DLS method) in what was a rain-curtailed game in Perth as the Aussies took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“He (Virat Kohli) has played more than 300 ODIs for India, so form is just a word for him, he knows how to get going, and it’s like a blessing to be in the same dressing room with him,” Arshdeep told reporters after the game. “Going forward, I feel there’ll be a lot of runs for him in this series as well, and talking about the format he is playing, he has mastered this one.”
Sharing the new ball with Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep got rid of Travis Head (8) early in the innings and bowled well in his five overs. While he ended up with just one dismissal to his name, the left-arm seamer could have ended up with a couple more wickets had luck favoured him. While he is one of the mainstays in T20Is, Arshdeep was featuring only in his 10th ODI game.
When asked about his approach with the ball in ODIs, Arshdeep said: “The approach is not the same in ODI when compared to T20Is. Your mindset is attacking at the start, that you have to give wickets to the team.”
He added: “But there is a mixture, at the start you have to put on the red-ball lengths, you have to bowl with a little patience, and you have to set the batsman up, whereas in T20s the batsman goes to attack you. And in the last 3-4 overs, you have to bowl with the T20 mindset. I try to adapt as soon as possible, how the other batters are playing, and how much help I am getting from the wickets. So I keep trying to learn, in which format I have to bowl, and what help I am getting on which wicket. So I keep trying to evolve as a player.”
It was also Shubman Gill’s first match as ODI captain since replacing Rohit Sharma as the leader. When asked about the difference between Gill and Rohit as captains, Arshdeep said: “ODIs I have played very less, so I can’t tell the difference yet, but I’d say both of them are proper bowler’s captains. They give you proper freedom, and even today Shubman, whatever plans we had, he said, ‘bowl freely to your plans and just enjoy the moment’.
“We knew we didn’t have that many runs but we just wanted to express ourselves, that was his message. And it’s just the start and surely he’ll have a great time ahead.”
Also Read: AUS vs IND: Australia Spoil Kohli, Rohit’s Comeback with Maiden ODI Win At Optus Stadium
For More Sports Related News: Follow RevSportz