Arshdeep Singh was one of the two uncapped players who were named in the Indian squad for the upcoming 5-match T20I series against South Africa at home. He was picked on basis of his outings for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) side in the previous two IPL seasons, where he bowled greatly in death overs.
While he picked 18 wickets in IPL 2021, the 10 wickets in 14 games for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022 may not display his true potential, but Arshdeep's death-overs economy rate of 7.58 is only after Jasprit Bumrah (7.38), which shows he is capable of doing wonders.
Talking about his stunning Indian Premier League 2022 journey, Arshdeep said, "The journey of this IPL was very good as I have played a lot of exciting cricket and at the same time very aggressive. I think we lacked in finishing the game and how we missed our crush points. If we had paid attention to them, the result would have been different."
He also shared his emotions on being picked for the Indian team and said: "I am very grateful, happy and lucky to be selected for the team India. And I will continue to do my best. My aim is to take a wicket when my team needs me. Waiting for my debut and to play for my country. I hope that I'll make a mark with some best bowling figures for team India.”
IND v SA 2022: KL Rahul’s leadership to be ‘closely monitored’ by selectors during T20I series
Arshdeep also shared that he received advice from other PBKS bowlers, especially pacer Kagiso Rabada and said: "The guidance from the team was great and the support and backing were brilliant. I enjoyed it a lot as much as I played with Kagiso Rabada. I also enjoyed sharing the dressing room with the senior players. I have got a lot of guidance from Rabada and Mohammed Shami and their advice helped me a lot. I got a lot of clarity in the team that in which overs I have to bowl or what should be the start of the game. It was a lot of fun playing Mayank Agarwal's captaincy."
"Even for Punjab Kings, I didn't have a fixed order to ball. Sometimes I had to bowl the death overs too. My position in the Team Indian bowling unit will depend on the conditions. I will give my 100 per cent to every role that the team management will give me.
While playing for any team and performing for them, the players don't expect a call-up from Team India neither did I. Because wherever we get a chance, we try to give our hundred per cent for the team we are playing for. I will pay more attention to the things that are in my control," he added.
The India-South Africa T20Is will be played from June 9 to 19.
(ANI inputs)
