Aakash Chopra hailed Punjab bowler Arshdeep Singh as a bowler for all three formats for India after the left-arm pacer was included in the Indian squad for the Asian Games 2023 to be held in China.
Arshdeep Singh has so far played 3 ODIs and 26 T20Is for India and picked a total of 41 wickets with a best of 4/37. He made quite an impact in the T20 World Cup 2022 when he dismissed Babar Azam on the first ball he bowled in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Chopra said he is surprised that Arshdeep has been added to the Asian Games squad.
“I am surprised Arshdeep Singh's name is on this team. I am surprised because they are not considering him for ODIs at all. You didn't consider him for the T20Is as well in the West Indies. Now you are not considering him for the Asia Cup and are already keeping him out of the World Cup list. What has happened?,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
However, Chopra said that Arshdeep is an all-format player for India.
“When I see Arshdeep Singh, it seems like there is a huge upside, he is a player for the long haul and can play all three formats, at least both white-ball formats, but they have not kept him currently. I am a little intrigued about Mukesh Kumar. He is part of all three formats for the West Indies tour. He is in the ODI team as well, so he might be in the race for the Asia Cup as well but you have removed him from the World Cup race,” Chopra added.
While Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj are primed for the Indian team in World Cup 2023, Chopra said that India will need a fourth fast-bowling option. Mukesh Kumar has been picked for India’s all three squads for the ongoing tour of the West Indies.
“Maybe you are thinking Bumrah, Shami, and everyone will be fit there. Bumrah, Shami, Siraj - who will be the fourth one? That will be a question. Arshdeep or Mukesh Kumar could have been there but they are not there. So is Umran Malik that player who the Indian team is thinking about because you will need a fourth pacer?” said Chopra.
