Arshdeep Singh has quickly risen to be among India’s go-to bowlers in the shorter format, specifically in the T20Is, after outshining veterans Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami in the T20 World Cup in Australia.
On Arshdeep and Umran Malik lie India’s long-term hopes, though both differ in style and execution. The leftarm pacer relies on swing and discipline while Umran is an all-out fast bowler, breaching the 150kmph barrier regularly.
Arshdeep’s ODI debut didn’t quite go as planned since the Punjab pacer went for 68 runs in his 8.1 overs. Umran, on the other hand, breached the 150kmph mark at least four times and claimed the wickets of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell.
“It is always good to bowl alongside Umran and he is also fun-loving like me... So the dressing room atmosphere remains nice,” Arshdeep said on the eve of the third and final ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch on Wednesday.
“As far as bowling is concerned, I get a lot of benefit from Umran’s bowling as batters need to adjust heavily from 155kmph to 135kmph. And they get deceived by pace, and we enjoy bowling with each other. I expect we will be able to continue this partnership for a long time,” he said.
Arshdeep said that though ODIs and T20Is are a bit similar, one has to be more patient in the 50-over game. “ODI is a long game, partnerships play a key role... Just like in batting, in bowling also, a partnership is important.
“I check how my partner at the other end is bowling. If he’s bowling well, getting more out of the surface, then I will try and stop the runs to help him out. At the end of the day, it’s a team sport. If I am attacking, my partner at the other end will go on the defensive.”
The 23-year-old said that he has learnt to take the good and bad in his stride. “If you do well, you get love and praise and when you don’t, the fans have the right to criticise us. They also love the game and the team. You will get love and brickbats both along the way, but the key is to accept both with equal humility,” Arshdeep said.
For the youngster, staying in the moment is most important. “When you play the game, you want to enjoy rather than think, ‘I want to be the main bowler of the side’.
“You want to stay in the moment rather than think where you will be one year down the line. If you stay in the present, it helps you as a player,” said Arshdeep, who has 33 wickets in 21 T20Is.
Like the T20Is, the ODIs have also effectively become a two-match series because of rain. New Zealand lead 1-0 after winning the opener. The second ODI was abandoned due to rain.
The threat of rain continues and could again be a spoiler on Wednesday. “Scattered showers” are predicted during the course of the match.
New Zealand also have an enviable 10-1 win-loss record at Hagley Oval in ODIs, where teams chasing have won the last three one-dayers.
About the rain-affected series, Arshdeep said: “Weather is not in our control, but even during breaks, one needs to be mentally prepared.”
