Arshdeep Singh will be India’s leader of the attack in the Asia Cup. How can that be with Jasprit Bumrah part of the squad? Well, the left-arm pacer is the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is. Bumrah hasn’t played a 20-over match for the Men in Blue since the 2024 T20 World Cup Final, and during this time, Arshdeep has been leading the attack.
Preparing for Asia Cup since July end
We aren’t even sure whether Bumrah will play all of the matches in the Asia Cup, especially the group stage games against the UAE and Oman. So, it makes perfect sense that Arshdeep will be the leader of the pack. The southpaw pacer realised it and has been preparing for the tournament ever since he wasn’t selected for the India vs England 5th Test, from July 31.
“Right from the last Test [at The Oval], I had started practising with a white ball. I didn’t know that there was a Duleep Trophy match in between. At the end of the day, red ball, white ball, or pink ball, you have to play cricket and try and enjoy it,” Arshdeep told reporters at the sides of the Duleep Trophy.
Although he’s playing red-ball cricket for the North Zone, he’s focused on the Asia Cup as well. Arshdeep hasn’t made his Test debut yet, and this chance will help his game. So, he isn’t taking it easy in the Duleep Trophy.
“I have got a chance here [at the Duleep Trophy] and will play with a white ball next [at the Asia Cup]. So, the aim is to put in a lot of overs under your belt and play any format. The mindset is about how quickly you can adapt. In today’s cricket, a batsman can hit against the red ball, and he can play conservatively against a white ball.”
“So, it’s all about how you can adapt according to the situation, according to the wicket, according to the weather, when you have to put in effort, and when you have to conserve yourself,” Arshdeep added.
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