Arshdeep Singh has a rare knack for finding humor even in uncomfortable situations, expressing himself candidly without bitterness or offending those in power.
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Since Gautam Gambhir took charge as head coach of the Indian team, the left-arm pacer has been in and out of the team. He was asked whether the frequent changes in selection had affected him. Arshdeep responded with a smile and a witty one-liner.
“Jaise main team se in and out hota hoon, uska advantage bhi hai. Mera ball bhi in and out jaata hai,” he quipped, suggesting that just like his selection status, his ability to swing the ball both ways remains intact.
Despite being India’s most successful T20I bowler, with 111 wickets in 73 matches, Arshdeep has often been sidelined due to team combinations in recent months. The trend has been particularly noticeable since Gambhir assumed charge in July 2024.
In 2025, the 26-year-old featured in only 13 of India’s 21 T20Is and spent a significant portion of the Asia Cup on the bench, despite his consistent record in the shortest format.
Taking a more measured tone, Arshdeep underlined his professional outlook towards selection and preparedness.
“My job is to stay ready. Whenever the team wants me to bowl, whether with the new ball or the old one, in any format, I should be able to give my best. I want to enjoy the journey, stay in the present, and focus on things I can control. Selection is not in my control, so I don’t worry about it,” he said.
The Punjab pacer also spoke about the challenges bowlers face on flat batting tracks and the importance of execution.
“When it’s a good batting pitch, you almost have a prayer on your lips—’Please God, save me today’. The plans are decided in team meetings, and on match day, our job is to execute them. If you stick to your plans, more often than not, you get results,” he explained.
He stressed the importance of understanding conditions and match-ups against specific batters.
“You need to know what works on a particular pitch and against a particular batter. If a plan doesn’t work, you learn from it and adjust in the next game.”
According to Arshdeep, flexibility—both mental and tactical—is crucial for the team’s success.
“Strategies change with conditions, opposition, and the situation of the match. The key is to remain flexible. Whether you are called to bowl at the start, in the middle, or at the death, you have to stay ready.”
Ending on a lighter note, Arshdeep revealed that explosive opener Abhishek Sharma prefers to avoid facing him in the nets, something the pacer doesn’t mind at all.
“He always says, ‘I don’t want to bat against you guys’. It’s good for us that we don’t have to bowl to him. I’ve played a lot of cricket with him, and watching him dominate at this level feels really good,” Arshdeep said.
(By PTI Inputs)
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