New Delhi: Arshdeep Singh is known for making strong comeback. In 2022, after dropping a crucial catch against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and facing heavy online criticism, he responded with character as he delivered a superb 20th over, even though India eventually lost the match.
Just a month later, against the same opponents at the T20 World Cup, Arshdeep made an immediate impact by trapping Babar Azam lbw with his first delivery. He followed it up by picking Mohammad Rizwan’s wicket in his next over and ended the match with an impressive figures of 3 for 32 from four overs.
Arshdeep Singh made a strong comeback in the 3rd T20I
The third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala once again showcased Arshdeep’s ability to bounce back. In the previous match at his home venue in New Chandigarh, he had a disappointing match as he conceded 54 runs in four overs without a wicket and struggling with his wide yorkers, including an over that featured seven wides. On Sunday, however, he turned things around in style as he was awrded the Player of the Match with figures of 2 for 13 from four overs, without bowling a single wide.
It worked in Arshdeep’s favour as Dharamsala felt somewhat like a home ground, since his IPL team, Punjab Kings, plays half of their home matches at this venue. “When I walked in, everyone was telling me [that],” he said after the game. “I told them, ‘No, this is not my home ground.’ So that felt better.”
However, challenges remained as Dew had begun settling in even before the toss, and with Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, Arshdeep lead the pace attack
Arshdeep Singh surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Arshdeep Singh grabbed his 48th wicket in the first six overs of a T20I, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s record for the most wickets in that phase for India. It was also the 20th time he had dismissed a batter for a duck in T20Is, once again setting a new Indian record and overtaking Bhuvneshwar’s tally.
When asked about any changes he made from the last game, he said “Nothing,” he said. “I just pitched the ball in the right areas and tried to get as much help from the wicket [as possible]. When you play at this level, there are days when you won’t execute the things you want to. That was just a one-off day.”
Harshit Rana partnered with Arshdeep and delivered an impressive performance
Playing his first match in the series, Harshit Rana partnered with Arshdeep to share the new ball and also delivered an impressive performance. Quinton de Kock, who has been in sensational form since his return to international cricket, was one of his key targets. Rana had previously dismissed de Kock in the first ODI in Ranchi, when the batter was caught behind attempting a drive off a wobble-seam delivery that moved away from him.
South Africa suffered a batting collapse as they were 77 for 7 at one stage, with only Aiden Markram showing any fight. In Rana’s final over, the 18th of the innings, Markram hit him for two sixes and a four, affecting Rana’s figures, which ended at 2 for 34.
Arshdeep, however, ended the innings strongly. Although a few of his usual wide yorkers ended up as low full-tosses, he remained difficult to score off. When Markram attempted to attack one such delivery, he edged it behind.
