Arshdeep Singh was one of the stars for India with the ball in their 68-run victory over West Indies in the first T20I at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad on Friday (July 29).
The left-arm pacer returned with the figures of 2 for 24 in his four overs as India restricted the hosts to 122/8 while defending a total of 190.
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Speaking after the game, Arshdeep said using variations, especially the slower ones, on a sticky wicket was the key to his success.
“It was a good experience. I am happy with my performance. The team won, so the happiness doubled. Due to a break, I am playing after a long time. So, I want to work with Paras (Mhambrey) sir and improve on my areas,” Arshdeep said in the post-match press conference.
“I guess, keeping things simple and using the wicket a lot and using the slower one and at the last just trying to nail my yorkers, I think that worked for me.”
It was Arshdeep’s second game for India, having made his T20I debut against England in Southampton earlier this month. The 23-year-old attributed his success to the clarity of his role in the team.
“I was pretty aware of my roles and responsibilities. Both the team management and the captain briefed me about my role as a bowler when I have to come to bowl and all.
“That gave me a lot of clarity and confidence and I could plan accordingly. The way Bhuvi Bhai bowls, he keeps the pressure at one end and that helps me to get wickets.”
In his very first over, Arshdeep was smashed for a six and a four by Kyle Myers before he got rid of the West Indies opener on the fourth delivery.
“He (Mayers) was attacking from the start and he came out hard and could have taken a chance on the bouncer but my gut instinct told me that I should go for it and it paid off.”
Earlier, the visitors rode on skipper Rohit Sharma’s 44-ball 64 at the top and designated finisher Dinesh Karthik’s whirlwind 19-ball 41* to pile up 190/6 on the board.
Praising Karthik for his knock, Arshdeep said: “DK Bhai played a great cameo and that gave us a good cushion as bowlers and the wicket was also sticky. As a bowling unit, we bowled in the right areas.”
With this victory, the tourists took a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. The second T20I is due to be held in St Kitts on Monday (August 1).
(With PTI inputs)
