New Delhi, October 8 (IANS). Arshdeep Singh, who made his international debut in 2022, has established himself in the Indian T20 team by playing more than 50 T20 matches in the last two years. In the current series against Bangladesh, he is leading the Indian fast bowling attack.

However, the path is not that easy for Arshdeep in the other two formats. He has certainly played eight ODIs since 2022, but even there his place is not confirmed yet, while he is still far away from the Indian Test team. He has never been selected even in the 15 or 16 member Indian team. However, due to his rare left-arm bowling angle, he remains a consistent possibility in red-ball cricket as well.

After the three-match home Test series against New Zealand, the Indian team has to go to Australia to play a five-match Test series, where the Indian team would definitely like to take at least one left-arm fast bowler. Yash Dayal and Arshdeep are the two main options in this. Dayal was recently selected in the Indian squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh. Although he did not get a chance there, he currently seems to be ahead in this race.

However, Arshdeep believes that he is ready for red ball cricket anytime and would like to play for India wherever he gets a chance.

Speaking to the media ahead of the second T20 against Bangladesh in Delhi, he said, “I am just enjoying my game and living in the moment. I don't realize how these last two years have flown by. More to come Wherever I get a chance, I want to do well in all formats.”

Arshdeep, who came to the Indian team after the success of IPL, was initially considered only a T20 bowler. By the time he made his international debut in July 2022, he had only six first-class matches to his name for Punjab. Due to his busy schedule with international cricket after his debut, Arshdeep got to play only one and two Ranji Trophy matches during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons.

However, during the English summer of 2023, he played five County Championship matches for Kent and then when the England Lions team came to India, he was also a part of the India A team. He was part of the India D team during the Duleep Trophy last month, where he took a total of nine wickets, including a wicket, in the final match against India B.

Arshdeep considers this experience of red ball cricket very useful for himself. He believes that after playing red ball cricket, it becomes easier to play other formats.

He said, “Playing red ball cricket allows you to explore your other skills as well. You can take wickets in different ways, develop the ability to handle pressure. Red ball cricket helps you learn patience.” Patience is not that important in T20 cricket, you have to think about what a batsman can do. T20 cricket becomes easier when you play red ball cricket.”

However, when Arshdeep is questioned about the Australia tour, he smiles. He said, “Those who know me know that I live in the present. The mantra of my life is to enjoy the present. For example, today is my day of rest, so I will enjoy the rest today. We'll see tomorrow.”

–INS

RR/