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Tag: Arshdeep Singh

  • KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh miss 3rd ODI vs Sri Lanka: Reasons Explained

    KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh miss 3rd ODI vs Sri Lanka: Reasons Explained

    Team India (IND) are locking horns with hosts Sri Lanka (SL) in the third and final ODI of the three-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, on Wednesday, August 07. The hosts are 1-0 up in the series after they fought back hard in the second ODI to clinch a 32-run.

    Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka called it correctly at the toss and opted to bat first. The hosts made one notable change to their playing XI, as star spinner Maheesh Theekshana replaced Akila Dananjaya. Theekshana didn’t feature in any of the games of the series as he wasn’t fully fit and Dananjaya was playing in place of him.

    On the other hand, India too entered the fray with some changes from the last game. They benched wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. As a result, they went with middle-order batters Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag.

    While Parag who made his T20I debut last month in Zimbabwe, got the chance to earn his maiden ODI cap as star batter Virat Kohli presented him the cap before the toss. Meanwhile, for Pant, this match holds immense significance as he is playing his first ODI game since November 30, 2022.

    “We are going to bat first. It looks same like the previous two ODIs. Theekshana comes in for Akila Dananjaya. Guys are doing very well, we are in a good position. I would like to see someone score a hundred on this pitch” Asalanka said at the toss.

    Also Read: Rishabh Pant posts tweet in support of India’s Neeraj Chopra

    The Indian skipper credited the opposition for playing good cricket in the last two matches. But Sharma looks confident for the final fixture and believes that the group needs to play together to get the job done.

    Plenty to play for, we’ve been challenged in the last two matches. It’s clear as to what we need to do with the bat and ball. We’ve addressed it – what we need to do as a group. You got to give credit to the opposition, they played well and understood the position well. Another opportunity for us to correct. Two changes. We have Rishabh and Riyan Parag in place of KL and Arshdeep,” Sharma said at the toss.

    Also Read: Rohit Sharma shows remorse after losing second ODI against Sri Lanka

    India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

    Sri Lanka (Playing XI):  Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando

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  • ‘We should have got that one run’ – Disappointed Rohit Sharma reacts to dramatic tie against Sri Lanka in first ODI

    ‘We should have got that one run’ – Disappointed Rohit Sharma reacts to dramatic tie against Sri Lanka in first ODI

    India were on the verge of picking up a win against Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the series in Colombo. The visitors needed just one run in 15 balls and Shivam Dube was on strike, who failed to finish it off. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka trapped Dube, who was bamboozled as the ball went to hit his pads. The on-field umpire gave not-out but a review was taken, which sent Dube back to the pavilion.

    Arshdeep Singh replaced him in the middle who too was trapped by Asalanka. The youngster tried to sweep but the ball went onto his leg. The umpire raised his finger immediately and Sri Lanka players were elated after pulling off a draw. India captain Rohit Sharma meanwhile was disappointed and believed that they should have chased it down. Chasing 231 runs, the captain made 58 runs and gave the team a good start but there wasn’t any significant contribution from the middle-order batters, which led to the draw.

    Also Read – Rohit Sharma equals Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record with his 58 against Sri Lanka in 1st ODI

    After the game, Rohit stated that the score was gettable and the players batted well in patches. He was happy with the effort that was put in by the players but was equally disappointed for not being able to cross the finishing line.

    “The score was gettable, just that you had to bat well to get there. We batted well in patches. Disappointed to not get 1 run with 14 balls, but won’t read (into it) too much. The bite was there at the start and then the ball became softer as the seam wore off. It was not a game where you can play your shots, [you] had to apply yourself and dig in. Proud of how we fought, it was important to hold our nerve. But we should have got that one run,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation. 

    Also Read – Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka, India deliver another riveting spectacle as first ODI concludes in a dramatic tie

    The second ODI of the series will be played on August 4 at the same venue. India is unlikely to make any changes but may look forward to settling its middle order. In the first match, Washington Sundar was sent at number four, which demoted Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul as they played at number five and six, respectively. Meanwhile, Axar Patel was sent ahead of Shivam Dube, who batted at number eight.

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  • Fans react as the 1st ODI between Sri Lanka and India ends in a dramatic tie in Colombo

    Fans react as the 1st ODI between Sri Lanka and India ends in a dramatic tie in Colombo

    India and Sri Lanka played out a thrilling tie in the 1st ODI of their three-match series on Friday (August 2), at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a total of 230/8 in their allotted 50 overs, with Dunith Wellalage top-scoring with an unbeaten 67 off 65 balls. In response, India were all out for 230 in 47.5 overs, resulting in a dramatic finish.

    India’s batting performance and thrilling tie

    India began their chase with a strong start as captain Rohit Sharma played a blistering innings of 58 from 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. However, Shubman Gill struggled and was dismissed for 16 off 35 balls by Wellalage, with Kusal Mendis taking a catch off a top edge. Rohit was also dismissed by Wellalage, who trapped him in front of the stumps. Washington Sundar, promoted to number four, could not make an impact and was dismissed for 5 off 4 balls by Akila Dananjaya, leaving India at 87/3 after 15.4 overs.

    A 43-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer briefly steadied the innings, but the game took a turn when both Kohli (24 off 32) and Iyer (23 off 23) were dismissed, leaving India at 132/5 after 24.2 overs. With the match finely poised, KL Rahul and Axar Patel added a crucial 57-run stand for the sixth wicket off 94 balls. Nevertheless, another twist took place as both Rahul (31 off 43) and Patel (33 off 57) were dismissed in quick succession, leaving India in a precarious position. Shivam Dube played a crucial innings of 25 runs, helping India level the score with the hosts. Nonetheless, after Dube’s dismissal, Arshdeep Singh was out on the very first ball he faced, resulting in the match ending in a tie.

    Also WATCH: Asitha Fernando delivers an absolute peach to send Shreyas Iyer packing | SL vs IND, 1st ODI

    Sri Lanka’s batting led by Dinuth Wellalage

    Earlier, Sri Lanka’s innings began poorly with Mohammed Siraj (1/36 in 8 overs) dismissing Avishka Fernando early. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka attempted to rebuild, but their partnership was short-lived as Dube (1/19 in 4 overs) dismissed Mendis lbw in the 14th over. This wicket led to a collapse, with Sri Lanka’s middle order struggling against India’s spin trio.

    Patel (2/33), Kuldeep Yadav (1/33) and Washington Sundar (1/46 in 9 overs) dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama (8 off 18), Charith Asalanka (14 off 21) and Pathum Nissanka (56 off 75), respectively. Sri Lanka were in dire straits at 101/5. Wellalage anchored the innings, forming vital partnerships with Janith Liyanage (20 off 26), Wanindu Hasaranga (24 off 35) and Akila Dananjaya (17 off 21). Wellalage’s unbeaten 67, including seven fours and two sixes, was instrumental in lifting Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 230/8. His remarkable innings marked his first ODI half-century and provided the backbone for Sri Lanka’s total.

    Here’s how fans reacted:

    Also WATCH: SL vs IND : KL Rahul hilariously asks about the IPL rule query to Rohit Sharma during first ODI



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  • “It is a moment I’ll cherish forever” – Arshdeep Singh reveals his favorite cricket match

    “It is a moment I’ll cherish forever” – Arshdeep Singh reveals his favorite cricket match

    India National Cricket Team fast bowler Arshdeep Singh opened up about the favorite match of his career. The fast bowler kept the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 between Men in Blue and the South Africa National Cricket Team at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown at Barbados on top. 

    The final of the T20 World Cup 2024 between India and South Africa was arguably one of the best matches in the game of cricket. Not only the bat and ball was involved, but the game saw a lot of emotions attached and it was a fairytale ending for the Rohit Sharma-led side in the tournament. 

    Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India defeated South Africa by just 7 runs to win the T20 World Cup 2024. It was a nail-biter as Men in Blue sealed the game from the jaws of defeat to end their 11-year-long title drought and win their second-ever T20 World Cup. 

    Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller almost took the game away from India. Even the win predictor gave India just a minimal chance. But bowlers staged a magnificent comeback and tilted the game. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya gave their best and helped the team win in the last over. 

    One of the shining lights for the India National Cricket Team during the T20 World Cup 2024 was Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer didn’t get the credit he deserved but played a major role in the team winning the tournament without losing a single game in the event 

    Arshdeep Singh was given the pivotal role of bowling with the new ball and in death and he made sure that he repaid the faith of the captain and management. He chipped in with crucial wickets for his team in almost every game including two crucial wickets in the final against South Africa. 

    Arshdeep Singh was the best bowler for India in terms of wickets. The fast bowler ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets to his name. His sensational performance saw India win the ICC tournament after 11 years.

    Winning the trophy was an unforgettable experience – Arshdeep Singh 

    Arshdeep Singh, in an interaction with IANS, talked about his favorite match and said that winning the T20 World Cup final was an unforgettable experience. He stressed the joy of lifting the title and claimed that he will never forget that moment. He explained: 

    “For cricketers, every match is important, but my favourite has to be the recent World Cup final. Winning the trophy was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere, the intensity, and the sheer joy of lifting the cup with my teammates made it incredibly special. It is a moment I’ll cherish forever, knowing we made our country proud on such a grand stage.” 

    In 52 T20Is, Arshdeep Singh has taken 79 wickets at an average of 18.40 including the best figures of 5/37. He will be next seen in action when India will tour to Sri Lanka to play three T20Is and three ODIs, starting on July 27.

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  • Team India management planning to include Arshdeep Singh into Test format? Outgoing bowling coach drops humungous hint

    Team India management planning to include Arshdeep Singh into Test format? Outgoing bowling coach drops humungous hint

    Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey reckons that Arshdeep Singh‘s future in Test cricket will depend upon the playing conditions and he might not get into India’s Test team for a home series.

    Arshdeep Singh was one of India’s top performers in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. The left-arm quick emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament alongside Afghanistan’s left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. Arshdeep picked up 17 wickets in eight matches at an average of 12.64 and an economy rate of 7.16.

    Arshdeep has been a key member of India’s T20I team for some time now. He was also a part of India’s squad in the 2022 T20 World Cup played in Australia. But despite playing 52 T20Is, he has played just 6 ODIs so far and is yet to make his Test debut. It may be due to Arshdeep’s lack of fitness for the longer formats and India’s depth of fast bowling in Tests and ODIs.

    Also read: MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings establish base in another country

    Paras Mhambrey speaks on Arshdeep Singh’s future in India’s Test team

    Paras Mhambrey recently spoke to The Indian Express regarding Arshdeep Singh’s chances of playing Test cricket. The former India bowling coach reckoned that Arshdeep might break into India’s Test team only if they played four seamers during the Australia tour.

    He added that the left-arm seamer might not play in Indian conditions as India has plenty of options to select before him.

    “It depends on the conditions. Maybe in Australia, if we play four seamers, he has a chance. To get one in India will be very difficult at the moment,” Mhambrey said.

    Mhambrey also felt that Arshdeep Singh needs to play more first-class cricket to make himself more suitable for the longer format of the game. According to Mhambrey, Arshdeep has the swing required to be successful in the format and just needs to maintain his fitness levels.

    “I feel he just needs a little more game time in first-class cricket, just to get control over his swing and also know how to use reverse swing, which will be very handy. He has the swing that works for him. It is about maintaining fitness and working on it. At the moment, he may not be a starter in Tests, but he isn’t far away,” he added.

    Arshdeep has played just 16 first-class matches so far and might need to prove himself in the longer format by playing more first-class games.

    Arshdeep Singh a potent weapon in India’s T20I team

    Arshdeep Singh is known for his skills to swing the new ball both ways and has a potent yorker for the death overs as well. Being a left-armer makes him a unique commodity as well. Alongside Jasprit Bumrah, he formed a formidable pair of fast bowling in the T20 World Cup 2024.

    In 52 T20Is Arshdeep has played so far, he has picked up 79 wickets at an average of 19.10 and an economy rate of 8.39, with the best of 4-9 against the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024. The left-arm quick has also been impressive in the ODI format with 10 wickets in six ODIs so far at an average of 18.40.

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  • “They’ve been dominating…” – Arshdeep Singh breaks silence on animated discussions with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

    “They’ve been dominating…” – Arshdeep Singh breaks silence on animated discussions with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

    India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh opened up about the animated discussions that he has had with Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah during the matches. He said that both are legends of the game and revealed that he shares his ideas with them and asks them if he implements them or not. 

    India pacer Arshdeep Singh was one of the shining lights behind the team’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. The left-arm pacer bowled brilliantly throughout the tournament and turned out to be a genuine wicket-taker for the team in the tournament, helping them be at the top with the ball. 

    Arshdeep Singh was given the role to bowl with a new ball and in the death as well. The fast bowler repaid the faith of the management and made sure that he picked wickets at crucial junctures of the game and helped the team be at the top in pressure situations in the tournament. 

    Arshdeep Singh came up with a magical performance for India in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. The fast bowler ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker for India with 17 wickets to his name. His sensational performance saw India win the ICC tournament after 11 years. 

    During an interaction with Sportstar, Arshdeep Singh was asked about his animated discussions with Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah at the death. The left-arm pacer stated that both the legends of the game guide him and while shedding light on the same, he stated: 

    “Rohit bhai and Jassi bhai are legends of the game. They have been dominating the international arena for a long time now. Whenever I have a point, I ask them whether I can implement it. They ensure that my suggestions are taken into account and the field is set accordingly. That helps me focus on the job at hand. As a batter, Rohit bhai understands which are the areas that trouble the batting unit, so he suggests a thing or two in terms of how to bowl an over and those little things matter in crunch times. 

    “Jassi bhai is a unique bowler with a different bowling action, so the things that work for him might not work for others, but he makes it a point to guide me on how to adjust the bounce and even suggest areas  jahan pe ball jaldi reverse hoga (where the ball will reverse quicker) . During the World Cup, he told me not to go for swing early on because on those surfaces, the ball won’t swing much, so it was better to hit the hard lengths.”

    Apna bhi toh young khoon hai, so at times, hum bhi disagree kar jatein hain – Arshdeep Singh on Jasprit Bumrah’s suggestions 

    Arshdeep Singh further talked about suggestions that Jasprit Bumrah gives him and hilarious quipped that him being young blood sometimes doesn’t agree with what the senior pacer says. He mentioned that later he realised that had he listened to what Bumrah said that would’ve worked. 

    “He keeps telling me those things throughout the match and our discussions often get animated because  apna bhi toh young khoon hai, so at times, hum bhi disagree kar jatein hain un ke saath (I am a young blood, so at times, I do disagree with him) laughs). But later, I realised that the suggestions given by Jassi bhai would have indeed worked had I listened to him. And, I learn from my mistakes and try to get better,” he concluded.

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  • Ramiz Raja drops ‘better than Jasprit Bumrah’ remark as he hails Arshdeep Singh after T20 World Cup 2024 heroics

    Ramiz Raja drops ‘better than Jasprit Bumrah’ remark as he hails Arshdeep Singh after T20 World Cup 2024 heroics

    Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh emerged as one of the standout performers in India’s triumphant campaign at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, finishing joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi with 17 scalps.

    His impressive ability to maintain composure under pressure and a strong willingness to learn has now earned him rich praise from former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja. India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title as an unbeaten team on June 29.

    Ramiz Raja praises Arshdeep Singh’s crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory

    Arshdeep played a crucial role in Team India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, delivering a pivotal penultimate over in the final, where he conceded just four runs and finished with stunning figures of 2/20 against South Africa in Barbados.

    Praising Arshdeep for his contribution to India’s historic title triumph, Raja has pointed out that Jasprit Bumrah, who won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ with 15 wickets, was Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s main bowler, but Arshdeep has been learning from the premier pacer without feeling overshadowed.

    Ramiz Raja said in his YouTube channel ‘Ramiz Speaks’: “Bumrah ke hote hue, ye craft seekh bhi rahe hain, par unse dab nahi rahe hain (with Bumrah there, Arshdeep is learning from him and not feeling the pressure because of Bumrah’s presence). It’s very important for him to back himself and prove that he is on par with Bumrah, if not better than him. So, to challenge himself that way is very important for Arshdeep’s growth, because if he will compete with the world’s best bowler, then his own bowling will touch the sky.”

    Raja commended Arshdeep’s ability to thrive in pressure situations, particularly in death overs, where his strategic variations—such as length balls and slower deliveries—have been instrumental. The former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman mentioned that Arshdeep bowls intelligently in his field, making him a valuable asset for the Indian cricket team.

    Arshdeep Singh’s bowling will touch the sky if he..: Ramiz Raja

    The commentator further noted. “He comes on to bowl in do-or-die situations (death overs), like if he doesn’t deliver, the team will lose and he might be out of the squad. But he bowls cleverly, and to his field, when to bowl length balls, slower balls can bowl the slower bouncer as well. So, he offers a lot of advantage to his team.”

    In the end, Raja said that the important thing about Indian cricket is that there is improvement in their bowlers’ skill level every six months, saying their bowlers do not fall apart or their performance dips. He further noted that the Indian bowlers’ skill level is going up and there is a willingness to learn, which is an important element that he finds in Arshdeep’s bowling.

    The former Pakistan captain signed off by saying that all the Indian bowlers played their part in their T20 World Cup victory. Raja noted that some Indian bowlers got hit, but most of them delivered good performances with their tight bowling and cleverness on flat tracks that tested your bowling quality, credibility, and credentials in the recent mega ICC tournament.

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  • Kamran Akmal shares details of animated exchange with Harbhajan Singh at WCL 2024

    Kamran Akmal shares details of animated exchange with Harbhajan Singh at WCL 2024

    Ex-Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has disclosed details about a heated conversation with former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh following the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 match on Saturday (June 6). Akmal revealed that he apologized to Harbhajan for his remarks made a month ago, emphasizing that he never intended to offend anyone.

    The dialogue between the two cricketers took place a month after a contentious exchange on social media.

    Akmal had made racially insensitive comments about Arshdeep Singh’s religion, prompting a strong response from Harbhajan, who urged Akmal to educate himself on Sikh history before making such remarks. Akmal responded with an apology to Harbhajan and the Sikh community. He reiterated that his comments were never meant to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.

    “I made a mistake, and that was the only topic being discussed. It was never my intention, and I can never think negatively about anyone’s religion. I have made that clear. It should be done because I am younger, they are seniors and a great off-spinner in Indian and world cricket,” Kamran was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

    Also READ: ‘My words were inappropriate and disrespectful’: Kamran Akmal apologize to Harbhajan Singh and the Sikh community

    Babar Azam discussion

    During their conversation in Birmingham, Akmal also brought up the criticism faced by Pakistan captain Babar Azam from fans and pundits. Harbhajan had previously struggled to contain his laughter during a discussion comparing Babar with the legendary Brian Lara.

    Akmal asserted that despite the class difference between Lara and Babar, mocking fellow cricketers is inappropriate. He conveyed this sentiment to Harbhajan, who agreed that such situations should not have occurred from either side. Akmal stressed the importance of respecting each player’s unique talents and contributions to the game.

    “Then we talked, and you might have seen Babar being mocked. No doubt, Babar is also a great batsman in Pakistan cricket; he has scored the most hundreds for Pakistan. No doubt, Brian Lara and Babar’s class don’t match, and they shouldn’t be compared. But as cricketers, we shouldn’t mock anyone. So I talked about it, and he (Harbhajan) also agreed that it shouldn’t have happened from his side either,” Kamran concluded.

    Also READ: Mohsin Naqvi breaks silence on Babar Azam’s future as Pakistan captain after T20 WC humiliation

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  • Wasim Akram gives a golden advice to Arshdeep Singh after Indian pacer’s impressive show in T20 World Cup 2024

    Wasim Akram gives a golden advice to Arshdeep Singh after Indian pacer’s impressive show in T20 World Cup 2024

    Team India pacer Arshdeep Singh had a remarkable campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024, emerging as one of the tournament’s standout performers. The left-arm pacer finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets, playing a crucial role in India’s successful run in the global tournament.

    Praise from a legend

    Arshdeep’s exceptional performance did not go unnoticed, garnering praise from cricket legends, including the iconic Wasim Akram. The former Pakistan seamer lauded Arshdeep for his sensational bowling in the multi-team event and offered invaluable advice for the young star to further elevate his career.

    Wasim Akram’s golden advice

    In a chat with Sportskeeda, Akram shared his thoughts on Arshdeep’s potential and the steps he should take to leave a lasting legacy. Akram emphasized that to create a lasting legacy in cricket, young bowlers should focus on excelling in long-format cricket, such as Test matches, rather than just short-format games like T20s. He believes that performing well in long-format cricket is what will make people remember a bowler even decades after their retirement, setting them apart in cricket history. Akram sees great potential in Arshdeep Singh, rating him highly, and encourages him to adopt this mindset to achieve enduring greatness in his career.

    “If you have to leave a legacy, you have to think about long-format cricket. People should be talking about you even 10-20 years after your retirement that no such bowler came in cricket history. These young bowlers should have that kind of mindset. No doubt, he has got the potential. I would give him eight,” Akram told Sportskeeda in a chat.

    Also READ: Hollywood star Huge Jackman reveals his favourite Indian cricketer

    Akram praised Arshdeep for his impressive talent and skill, highlighting his ability to swing the ball both ways with good pace. He reckoned that while T20 cricket can bring financial rewards and short-term fame, excelling in Test cricket will contribute more significantly to a player’s long-term legacy and career stability.

    “Very impressive, very talented. He should be focusing on four-day cricket too because he has swing and pace. He swings the ball both ways and the new ball comes in decently. I think he has got the potential to be a regular bowler for India. I hope he has Test cricket on his mind because you will make money in T20s and you will make your name for one year in T20s,” added Akram.

    Also WATCH: Jay Shah gets awestruck during handshake with Virat Kohli in the felicitation ceremony

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  • T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma responds to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s ball-tampering allegations on Arshdeep Singh

    T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma responds to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s ball-tampering allegations on Arshdeep Singh

    Team India are all set to take on England in the high-voltage second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Ahead of the much-awaited game, Indian captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media, responding to recent allegations of ball-tampering against Indian fast bowlers.

    Allegations by Inzamam-ul-Haq

    Controversy arose when former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq alleged that Indian bowler Arshdeep Singh had tampered with the ball during their Super 8 match against Australia. Inzamam questioned the early reverse swing observed in the 15th over, suggesting that “significant work had been done” on the ball to achieve this effect.

    “Arshdeep Singh, when he was bowling the 15th over, the ball was reversing. Is it too early (for reverse swing) with the new ball? This means the ball was ready for reverse swing by the 12th or the 13th over. Umpires should keep their eyes open (to spot) these things…If it was Pakistani bowlers (reverse swinging the ball) this would have been a big issue. We know reverse swing very well and if Arshdeep can come in the 15th over and start reversing the ball, it means some serious work had been done before,” Inzamam had said on Pakistani news channel.

    Also READ: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saleem Malik accuse Arshdeep Singh of ball-tampering

    Rohit Sharma’s firm rebuttal

    The Indian captain refused to accept any part of the accusation made against left-arm bowler Arshdeep, who performed exceptionally well during India’s 24-run victory over Australia in St Lucia. In a pointed response to Inzamam’s claims of ball tampering, Rohit stressed that if the ball doesn’t reverse swing under these circumstances, where else would it, given that the Men in Blue are not competing in conditions similar to those found in Australia or England.

    “What can I say. Don’t you see the rough surfaces and the heat here? This isn’t Australia or England. Here the conditions will result in the ball reverse swinging in 12-15 overs. It’s happening for all teams and not us alone. Sometime people need to open their mind and think,” said Rohit.

    Also READ: IND vs ENG, T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-final 2: Guyana Weather Forecast, Providence Stadium T20I Stats & Records | India vs England

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