Punjab Kings did not exploit Arshdeep Singh’s talent in IPL recently according to former Indian fast bowler Rudra Pratap Singh, who believes that the young left-arm pacer can be very effective in the death overs during the T20 World Cup especially when paired with Jasprit Bumrah.
But it was his economy rate of 10.03, which suffered because of big-hitters taking him on as an “impact player,” that disappointed him.
RP Singh, who had been India’s bowling hero at the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa, expressed his support for Arshdeep over Mohammed Siraj for the forthcoming championship.
“If you look at Arshdeep’s IPL performance then I think he wasn’t utilized properly” – this is what RP Singh said while answering a PTI question during a promotional event where Indian team jersey was unveiled ahead of the inaugural World Championship of Legends.
“Then also it depends on captain how he uses bowlers under his condition; how does he choose whether to put them into any situation or where best suits his bowler?”
RP feels that Nassau County wicket would be slower and instead of bowling pacey length deliveries, he advises Arshdeep use cutters more effectively.
“Lengths on US tracks early morning start and my understanding is there should be some slowness in the track. So ideal length will be somewhere just short of good length.
For instance, there isn’t going to be much swing for the bowlers but those with variations are still going to use them; they include yorkers too as well as slower ones, leg cutters and off-cutters. Consequently, these kinds of deliveries tend to be used more by Arshdeep so success rate would automatically go up for him and this is what I know about US pitches.”
RP also thinks Bumrah should ideally bowl three overs in back-10 as it would mount a lot of pressure on the opposition batting.
“A crucial aspect of T20 cricket is death bowling. In the death overs, Bumrah might have to bowl three overs. He is our best bet there. For me in the death alongside Bumrah it should be Arshdeep than Siraj because he has got variations. I think Siraj can be meaningful in one game when he is bowling with the new ball. Otherwise, it should be Bumrah and Arshdeep.”
Arshdeep’s left-arm angle makes him a very important asset against right-handers who will find his deliveries difficult to negotiate; also having another left-armer Khaleel Ahmed among World T20 reserves gives depth to the bowling unit.
“Left hand fast bowlers are always advantage especially against right-handed batsmen. Left-arm seamers cannot play two together: It’s not that possible. We, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and myself have played several games together.”
Hardik Pandya must bowl his full quota of overs for striking a fine balance. This would enable three specialist spinners being played by the team thereby possibly allowing Yuzvendra Chahal to come into the side along with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja making eleven players in total for playing a match at any given moment.
IPL had Hardik bowl four overs, hence no scare of injury. It will be important for Hardik to bowl and he has to complete his 4 over quote. In case Shivam Dube also bowls, it will be a bonus for India going forward.
Although Shivam may not play many matches at first, he will score well when he plays for India in the games.”
