The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named an 18-member squad for the England tour. As expected, Shubman Gill has been named captain, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain. Among the surprise inclusions is Arshdeep Singh, whose selection is seen as a strategic move for Team India. One of his standout qualities is that he offers a left-arm pace option, which adds much-needed variety to the bowling attack. Arshdeep possesses the rare ability to swing the ball both ways—an asset that becomes particularly valuable in English conditions. Coupled with his pace and ability to extract bounce, he poses a serious threat to opposition batters.
Arshdeep has consistently delivered on the big stage. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup, underlining his ability to perform under pressure.
What further strengthens Arshdeep’s case is his prior experience in English conditions. He played for Kent in the 2023 County Championship, where he impressed on typically flat pitches by taking 13 wickets in five matches. Arshdeep has openly acknowledged that his stint in county cricket made him a better bowler, helping him refine his understanding of line and length and evolve into a more disciplined player.
With 99 wickets in just 63 T20 Internationals, he currently holds the record for the most T20 wickets by an Indian bowler—a testament to his consistency and skill. Though still early in his ODI career, he has already made an impact, claiming 14 wickets in nine matches. His domestic performance is equally impressive, with 66 wickets from 21 First-Class games and 55 wickets in 33 List A matches. In this year’s IPL, he has taken 16 wickets from 12 matches and is looking in good form.
Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar once said of Arshdeep: “I do believe that he, like Bumrah, can be a very, very good bowler in red-ball cricket as well. Because if he can move the white ball so well, just imagine what he can do with the red ball. So I think the selection committee would do very well to look at him as an option for the red-ball game as well.”
Given his skillset, temperament, and adaptability, Arshdeep stands out as a valuable asset who can make a significant impact in challenging conditions and high-stakes matches.
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