Arshdeep Singh, Punjab Kings pacer who has built his reputation for bowling yorkers in the 2022 IPL, vows not to want to get carried away after being picked for India’s T20 series against South Africa in June. Pacer Arshdeep Singh is the cynosure of all eyes in Kharar these days. Fans, friends, and relatives have been queuing up in narrow lanes of the neighbourhood ever since he came home after the announcement of his maiden call-up to the India T20 team.

Arshdeep Singh, who picked 10 wickets for Punjab Kings in 13 matches, at an average of 36.00 and an economy of 7.82 in the ongoing IPL, earned accolades for bowling well in the crucial slog overs. His yorkers in the death overs have been the highlight of his spells and have helped propel him into the Indian team.

Arshdeep Singh Worked Hard On His Skills And Maintained Consistency

The youngster played 3 matches for Punjab Kings in the 2019 season and was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2020 IPL auction. A year later, Arshdeep Singh continued his rise and went on to enjoy a fine run of form, taking his IPL wicket tally to 30 from 23 matches, leading PBKS to retain him ahead of the TATA IPL 2022 auction.

The tall bowler is known to use his 6’3” frame to his advantage. He picked 18 scalps in IPL 2021 in 12 IPL games averaging a mere 19. So far, he has 40 scalps in 37 games averaging 26.35 with a best of 5/32.

“My father has lived his dream through me,” said Arshdeep. “I want this to last quite long and play for India for years. The kind of training I have got since childhood, I have come to know that discipline is very important and you cannot be complacent at any point.”

“I have worked hard on my skills and maintained consistency. I believe in constant learning and improving. I don’t think much about too many things at one time. I will aim to do well against South Africa in the T20s if given a chance and not think about ODI or Test team selection,” added the 23-year-old.

“It is very important to have variations in modern-day cricket. My coach here in Chandigarh has been a guiding force. We have been practicing bowling yorkers aggressively. And then have bowled yorkers in different situations keeping in mind a particular batsman. There is a long way to go and I want to learn more about fast bowling.”

“I hope my journey is long and enjoyable. I have become a bit calm through meditation and it has helped me understand the game better,” added the quickie, who almost quit the sport when he was ignored by the Punjab Cricket Association during a U-19 tournament.

He could have gone to Canada like many other Punjabi youths to pursue higher studies and in search of good financial status. However, it was his brother Akashdeep Singh who decided to take the plunge and go to Canada and let Arshdeep Singh focus on the game.

“The turning point in Arshdeep’s life was when my son Akashdeep Singh, who also used to play cricket moved to Brampton in Canada a few years ago. He studied there and did odd jobs to send us money from there. This made us financially stable and Arshdeep could just focus on his cricket and not worry about other things.“

“I hope the years of effort me and my wife have put in to let Arshdeep chase his dreams works out well in the end and he has a long cricket career and makes India proud,” said his father, Darshan Singh.

Back at home after a grueling couple of months in the IPL, Arshdeep Singh is getting some much-needed rest at home but it won’t be long before he joins the Indian squad for the South Africa series beginning in Delhi on June 9.

He bowled more with the old ball than the new ball this IPL season with Punjab Kings relying on him heavily in the slog overs. Only one of the two players to be retained by the franchise, Arshdeep Singh repaid the faith by ending up with an economy rate of 7.31 in the death overs, the best among bowlers who bowled more than 10 overs in that critical phase.

Arshdeep Singh Reveals He Changed His Action After The Stint As A Net Bowler In Sri Lanka 2021 Tour Which Worked Wonders

During the last IPL 2021 too, Arshdeep Singh was tremendous for Punjab Kings. As a result, he was made a net bowler for the India team during a tour in Sri Lanka with Rahul Dravid as a coach.

“The time I spent in Sri Lanka as a net bowler when Rahul Dravid sir was the coach helped me look at things differently. I changed my action also after that stint which worked wonders. Rahul sir has been there since I started playing for India U-19 and I am excited that he will be there in the Indian team as a coach too. Being around the best helps a lot. And when you are wearing the Indian jersey then you just want to give your best,” said Arshdeep, who was retained by the Punjab Kings for 4 crores ahead of the ongoing season.

Coach Jaswant Rai, a former Himachal Ranji spinner, has been coaching Arshdeep Singh for a decade now and he reserves high praise for his ward.

“Arshdeep is a quick learner. After the U-19 World Cup in 2018, he knew he had to work hard on his skill and fitness in order to reach the top. He has been bowling consistently at 140 Km per hour lately and his impact in the crucial overs like at the death or in the powerplay has been remarkable. I think second to Jasprit Bumrah in India, Arshdeep bowls smashing yorkers,” said Rai.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s pace sensation Umran Malik and Punjab Kings’ Arshdeep Singh have been named in India’s 18-member squad for the five home T20Is against South Africa, starting on June 9.