India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh finished the T20 World Cup 2024 as the joint highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets, sharing the honor with Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi. His impressive performance, highlighted by a crucial spell of 2 for 20 in the final against South Africa at Bridgetown, Barbados, helped India clinch the trophy. Arshdeep’s ability to learn and stay calm under pressure has garnered praise from cricket experts and former players.
India’s journey to victory was marked by an unbeaten run in the tournament, culminating in a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the final on June 29. Arshdeep played a pivotal role in the comeback, especially with his tight penultimate over, conceding just four runs. Jasprit Bumrah, who was named the ‘Player of the Tournament’ with 15 wickets, was a key figure, but Arshdeep’s development alongside Bumrah has been noteworthy.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja highlighted Arshdeep’s growth and learning from Bumrah, emphasizing his ability to perform without being overshadowed. Raja praised Arshdeep’s clever bowling in high-pressure situations, noting his effective use of slower balls and bouncers. He further said, “Bumrah ke hote hue, ye craft seekh bhi rahe hain, par unse dab nahi rahe hain”. He also remarked on Arshdeep’s confidence and self-belief, which are crucial for his development and contribution to the team.
Raja also lauded the overall improvement in India’s pace-bowling unit over the past decade, attributing it to the continuous enhancement of skills in the domestic circuit. He believes that Arshdeep embodies this progress with his willingness to learn and improve consistently, which is evident in his performances on the international stage.
