Arshdeep Singh delivered a brilliant last over to script India’s thrilling six-run victory over Australia in the fifth and final T20I at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Sunday (December 3).
The left-arm pacer, who leaked 37 runs in his first three overs, was tasked to defend 10 runs in the final over and he didn’t let his team down.
Arshdeep picked up the prized scalp of Matthew Wade (22 off 15) and conceded only three runs, helping the hosts restrict the visitors to 154/8 in the chase of 161.
After the game, Arshdeep revealed what was going through his mind when skipper Suryakumar Yadav tossed the ball to him ahead of the 20th over.
“I did not feel that it was bowling-friendly conditions as I bowled a lot of loose deliveries,” Arshdeep said in the post-match presser.
Arshdeep Singh started the over with a bouncer outside the off-stump, which appeared to be a no-ball for height. However, the umpire considered it a legal delivery. He then nailed a perfect yorker before dismissing Australian skipper Matthew Wade (22 off 15) on the third delivery.
At this point, Arshdeep felt that the match turned in India's favour. “I was just thinking that I have nothing to lose as I have already given away a lot of runs. Surya bhai was also saying the same thing that ‘let's see how it goes.' My gut feeling was to bowl a bouncer off the first ball to put some doubt in Wade's mind and once I got his wicket the belief came (in me) that we can win this match,” he said.
The pacer heaped praise on Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership after India clinched the series 4-1.
“Surya bhai gives a lot of freedom. We had played in a few batting-friendly pitches earlier in the series but he said wherever there are challenges opportunities too will be there.
“He was telling us not to worry about the results but to focus on the process and force the batsmen to score runs off good deliveries. He never put us under pressure,” he said.
“He told me to bowl whatever you want to in the death overs and his full support will be there. Sometimes, he gives a bit of input, you know, this kind of ball will be good at this stage,” he explained.
Team India’s next assignment is the all-format tour of South Africa, beginning next week. However, Arshdeep said they were not thinking about it while playing this series.
“Right now, we are focusing on this series. We are not looking too far ahead (in terms of South Africa tour) and once we go there and see the conditions, will take a call accordingly,” he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
