Having made his international debut in 2022, Arshdeep Singh has established himself as India’s leading pacer in the shortest format of the game.
The left-arm quick has already played 55 T20Is, claiming 86 wickets at an average of 18.27 and an economy rate of 8.28 with the best figures of 4/9 to his name. He also played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year.
Arshdeep is currently plying his trade in the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh at home. He starred with the ball in India’s dominant seven-wicket victory in the first match in Gwalior on October 6.
The 25-year-old was adjudged Player-of-the-Match as he returned with the figures of 3/14 in 3.5 overs. Thanks to his stunning spell, the Men in Blue bundled out Bangladesh for a low total of 127 runs and chased it down with 49 deliveries to spare.
On the eve of the second T20I, Arshdeep Singh addressed a press conference, where he revealed the mantra of his life.
"I am enjoying my game and didn't even realise how these two years flew by. I just try and stay in the present, enjoy the highs and lows, that is my focus," Arshdeep told reporters on Tuesday (October 8).
"My life's mantra is to enjoy the present. Today is my rest day so I will enjoy my rest today. Kal ka kal dekhenge (Will think about tomorrow when it comes). The T20 World Cup is two years away, very far I don't think much about the future," he added when a question on his future was thrown his way.
The Punjab lad fine-tuned his red-ball skills during the ongoing domestic season as he played in the Duleep Trophy 2024 for India D. He also made a strong case for his Test selection with strong performance in the Duleep Trophy, but doesn't want to think too much into it.
"I want to do my best in all the formats wherever I get the opportunity," he said in the pre-match presser.
Asked what difference he has felt in his white-ball skills since becoming an all-format player, Arshdeep said, "I enjoy that we can see how quickly you can adapt to the conditions, ground dimensions and format. It gives opportunity to the players to explore their skills. How he can take wickets in different ways, how to absorb pressure.”
"Playing in different formats teaches players a lot. In red ball, you get more overs to bowl, it teaches you patience, here (in T20s) you don't need patience, you have to think about what a batter can do."
The second T20I of the three-match series is expected to be a high-scoring affair in Delhi. During the IPL 2024 season, teams breached the 200-run mark five times at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
"We (Punjab Kings) didn't have a match here in the IPL this season but seeing the scores at this ground, I didn't feel like seeing the wicket.
"We will come tomorrow and assess the conditions and make plans accordingly. The coach and captain will check the wicket and tell us the plan," Arshdeep said.
