Arshdeep returned with the figures of 3/32 in India's T20 World Cup 2022 opener against Pakistan.
However, the left-arm pacer silenced his detractors in India’s T20 World Cup 2022 opener against the arch-rivals, returning with the figures of 3-32 in his four overs, including the prized scalps of Babar Azam (0) and Mohammad Rizwan (4).
For his exploits, Arshdeep has received rich praise from the legendary spinner Anil Kumble, who believes the 23-year-old has the potential to do “wonderful things for India” as Zaheer Khan did in his stellar career.
“…Arshdeep has certainly matured and I’d like to see him carry on. Probably what Zak (Zaheer Khan) did for India…
“… I expect Arshdeep to go on to do some wonderful things for India,” said Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo‘s Open Mic program.
Kumble, who has observed Arshdeep from close quarters as Punjab Kings’ head coach in the IPL, is impressed with the young pacer’s ability to bowl tough overs at the start and closing stages of the game.
“I was really impressed with Arshdeep, how he’s come through. I worked with him for three years and I could see the kind of development that he has had in the T20 format, and last year’s IPL was a classic example of how he handled the pressure.
“He perhaps bowled the tough overs for the team and yeah, you don’t always look at the wickets column in the T20 game, you look at what moments the bowler comes up with.
“And the temperament that he’s shown, it’s wonderful. We saw that again in the India-Pakistan game. When you have 90,000 people at the MCG, it’s always challenging,” Kumble stated.
According to Anil Kumble, Pakistan boast the best bowling attack in the T20 World Cup 2022.
“Pakistan certainly have the best pace-bowling attack, for sure. They lacked the all-rounder that Australia have. Australia have, overall, a good attack, in terms of having options. India certainly has good spinners. If you ask me, I think Pakistan have the best fast-bowling attack,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)