The India National Cricket Team will be up against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team for a three-match T20I series. Ahead of the first game, pacer Arshdeep Singh has shared his insights on why he cannot play Test cricket soon. He is in the squad for the forthcoming series against the Afghans, which is scheduled to start on 13th September.
Arshdeep Singh has been the leading wicket-taker for India in the T20Is; he has picked 135 wickets in 91 matches for the Men in Blue in the shortest format of the game. However, his recent form has not been good with the Men in Blue, and he has also struggled during the IPL despite picking wickets.
“I do everything that is within my control”: Arshdeep Singh on Test call-up
The 27-year-old left-arm seamer, in an exclusive interview with PTI, discussed his chances of playing Test cricket for India, saying he is doing everything within his control and is always ready whenever called up to the Test team. He also feels that playing only first-class games is not enough to prepare for the traditional format.
“I do everything that is within my control to be ready for the (Test) call-up,” Arshdeep, who joined his Sher-e-Punjab side Ludhiana Lions right after the Duleep Trophy, told PTI in an exclusive interaction.
“The long gaps in First-Class games may not be ideal for preparation, but I can only focus on the things I can do to be ready when I get the chance,” he said.
“Competing for the Test side is an honour that I’m very much looking forward to, and I’m confident in my ability to make a difference for India,” he insisted.
“It is usually tough on the body”: Arshdeep Singh on workload management
He bowled well during the Duleep Trophy for the North Zone, and the only reason for his participation in the tournament was to have an understanding of how his body works in longer formats of the game. Arshdeep finished the Duleep Trophy with a total of 6 wickets across 2 matches.
“As a fast bowler, it is usually tough on the body to play first-class games that can sometimes be very demanding. But as a fast bowler, I also take immense pride in managing this workload and bringing out my best each time I run in to bowl,” Arshdeep Singh said.
“The main learning has been to understand the mechanics of my own body and most importantly to listen to it when it comes to managing the limits of my own physicality. Recovery is extremely crucial,” Arshdeep said.
“Adjust your skill to get the best out of the track”: Arshdeep Singh bowling on spin-friendly wickets
Arshdeep bowled amazingly in the recently concluded domestic tournament; despite spin-friendly wickets, he bowled amazing lines and lengths. He revealed that it was challenging to bowl on spinning tracks. He also believes it is all about adjusting his skills and getting the best of the wicket.
“I saw the challenge of bowling on spin-friendly tracks as a chance to hone my own skills to bowl in any track conditions,” he said of the pitches at COE.
“The faster you learn how to read each track and adjust your skill to get the best out of the track, the more crucial a bowler will be for his team every single time,” he reasoned.