Arshdeep Singh revealed how fellow pacer Mohammed Siraj supported him during a tough phase when he warmed the bench during India’s Test tour of England.

During the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Siraj featured in all five games while Arshdeep did not get a single opportunity, even with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah managing his workload.

To make matters worse, the left-arm quick sustained a left thumb injury that ruled him out of the last two Test matches.

Having gone through the tour without playing a single competitive match, Arshdeep Singh has now returned to action in the Duleep Trophy. He is representing North Zone in their ongoing fixture against East Zone in Bengaluru before heading to the UAE for the Asia Cup 2025.

“Mentally, in the last two months, I have learnt how to enjoy the boring time. In Test cricket or red-ball matches, there is a time when the work gets boring. Like the session after lunch, the ball doesn't do anything... how can you enjoy that?,” Arshdeep quoted as saying by TOI.

“I spoke to Siraj, he told me that when nothing is happening, how you enjoy that phase will tell you how successful you can be in red-ball cricket. He gave me this small tip and I really liked it,” he added.

Sharing details of his routine in England, Arshdeep said, "During the last couple of months with the [Test] team, I trained and bowled a lot and also worked on strength and conditioning.”

Arshdeep Singh may have missed out on elusive Test cap in England, but he remains focused on achieving it.

"The training is almost the same. You just put in more work when you are not playing. More overs, strength work and training, so that whenever you get the chance, you are ready and fully fit to go. So, when you are not playing, you try to push the limit," he stated.

Talking about his mindset as he switches formats and turns up for the country in next month's T20 Asia Cup, Arshdeep remarked: "During the last Test [Oval], I started training with a white ball. The workload was properly managed. I don't know how many thousands of balls I set down in practice. There was no lack of bowling. At the end of the day, white or red ball, you just play and enjoy it. I got a chance to play here [Duleep] and will next play with a white ball. The aim is to have a lot of overs under the belt."