"Certainly puts him ahead of Mohammed Siraj" - Anil Kumble on Arshdeep Singh in India's new bowling combination in T20 World Cup 2024
Former Indian legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has been highly impressed with the way Arshdeep Singh has been bowling in the T20 World Cup so far. The left-arm pacer won the Player of the Match against the USA (June 12) for his sensational figures of 4/9 and sealed the Men in Blue's qualification to the Super 8 stage.
With India playing their remaining games in Florida and the West Indies, it seems likely that they would go with an attack of three spinners and two pacers alongside the all-round skills of Hardik Pandya as the third seamer.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Anil Kumble explained why Arshdeep Singh could make the cut as the second pacer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and why he is ahead of Mohammed Siraj in the pecking order. He said:
"I think the way he (Arshdeep) bowled that last over against Pakistan, and also the way he can bowl in different areas in the T20 game, I think certainly puts him ahead of Mohammed Siraj. If at all India takes that option of going with just the two seamers and Hardik Pandya. So yes, in that sense, plus he also gives you an extra variety with his left arm pace."
Another box that Arshdeep ticks is his ability to contribute crucial runs down the order. Speaking to reporters after the match against the USA, Arshdeep shed light on the hard work he has been putting in in the nets under the watchful eye of batting coach Vikram Rathour.
Really important Arshdeep Singh takes a lot of confidence: Varun Aaron
Former Indian pacer Varun Aaron was also present in the discussion and spoke about the importance of Arshdeep Singh taking confidence and momentum from his performances in the group stage. Aaron was delighted to see the left-arm pacer get the ball to swing into the right handers and feels that was one aspect missing in the IPL.
Aaron stated:
"He (Arshdeep) is been getting the ball to shape back really effortlessly and at regular intervals, which we didn't see that much in the IPL. It's really important that he takes a lot of confidence from this game into the other games, especially the Super 8s. And especially these games are more about execution, and he executed really well today."
In three matches so far, Arshdeep Singh has picked up seven wickets at an average of 10.71 and an economy rate of just 6.25. India will play Canada next in Florida before flying to the West Indies for the Super 8 phase.