Arshdeep Singh had a remarkable comeback in the One-Day International format for India, taking 5/37 against South Africa in the opening game of the three-match series on Sunday, December 17.
The left-arm seamer, who had 0 ODI wickets prior to the game, picked up a fifer, demonstrating how much improved his performance was after being put through the wringer in white-ball cricket.
Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan combined for a 116-run victory for South Africa. India won the game comfortably with eight wickets in hand, demonstrating how powerful their fast bowling bench is.
On that subject, here are three of the greatest replies from specialists in the cricketing world:
3. Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik was a member of the Indian squad that advanced to the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinals and witnessed Arshdeep Singh’s ascension as well as the minor setback that caused many to doubt his consistency.
The experienced Indian wicketkeeper was overjoyed to see Arshdeep establish his worth, as he told Cricbuzz:
“A very satisfying spell for him and one that is very important in his life right now. His stocks were dipping a little bit, but again, he has shown the Indian selectors and all of India that you back me because I have skills, and I really do have it, and I will keep producing it.
“With the new ball, what was very good about him was he can swing the ball both ways. He brings the ball back into the right-handers naturally, and then develop the one that goes away.”
Dinesh Karthik
Karthik believes that the fact that Arshdeep Singh kept things simple and focused on the fundamentals aided him much.
2. Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar, a former cricketer for India, was thrilled to see the talent of the Indian bowlers against South Africa. With India’s top bowlers rested for this Test series, Manjrekar applauded Avesh Khan and Arshdeep for excelling when given opportunities.
In an ESPNCricinfo video, he said the following:
“Very happy to see Avesh Khan and Arsdheep Singh, who had lost their way a little bit at the international level, have found their basic bowling style and how they would pick wickets at the IPL and domestic level before they faced the harsh reality of international cricket.
“I hope they continue to do what they did in this match. Arsdheep, just pitching the ball up, getting it to swing, and maybe at the most, we saw a short of length ball.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar is hoping that this is exactly the performance that will enable these pacers improve their consistency and get their careers back on track.
1. JP Duminy
JP Duminy gave insight on how quickly Arshdeep Singh analyzed the situation and recognized he didn’t need to do anything. Fast bowlers are sometimes carried away by favorable conditions, and Duminy believes Arshdeep was rewarded for his persistence and patience.
Here’s what he had to say to ESPNCricinfo:
“The thing that stands out for me is consistency. If you assess conditions and understand where the biggest threat is, you have to land the ball there consistently. Think of Arshdeep [Singh] and his ability to swing the ball up front as well as nibble it. He was asking those questions consistently, so you were always under pressure and when you don’t have those answers, today happens.”
JP Duminy
When Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan were in their stride, Duminy believed the South African batters didn’t put up enough resistance to survive the storm.