Living Now: Arshdeep’s Formula for Rising to the Top

He paused for a moment, searching for the right words, but all that came out was, “I don’t…” followed by a laugh.

Arshdeep Singh appeared a bit uneasy when Murali Kartik asked him about stepping up as the leader of the pack during the post-match presentation ceremony in Gwalior. Still, his influence was unmistakable as Mayank Yadav bowled his first over in international cricket. Restless at mid-on, Arshdeep focused intently as the 22-year-old made his debut delivery, playing the mentor as Mayank returned to his mark, reports Live Cricket Score.

And Arshdeep is just 25 himself.

Since Rohit Sharma handed him his India cap in Southampton, Arshdeep has experienced quite a journey in international cricket. He has faced challenges, including dropped catches and the occasional no-ball, but he always manages to bounce back. This resilience has seen him participate in two T20 World Cups, one of which India clinched, become the second-fastest Indian to reach 50 T20I wickets, and be entrusted with some of the most crucial overs in tight matches.

“I’m just enjoying my game. I don’t know how two years have passed,” Arshdeep said before the second T20I against Bangladesh in Delhi. “I just try to stay in the moment, savouring the highs and lows. That’s my focus.”

His ability to stay present makes Arshdeep a vital component of India’s death-bowling strategy. In the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados, he was given the critical 19th over to bowl. With Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah in the mix, Arshdeep became a primary target for the batters. However, he executed six nearly perfect deliveries, conceding only three runs off two balls to David Miller, keeping India firmly in the chase as the match headed into its final over.

A similar scenario unfolded during India’s league match against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where then-bowling coach Paras Mhambrey praised his “ability to handle pressure.” This trait is particularly rare, especially at such a young age.

Arshdeep’s composure under pressure was evident in Gwalior, where he seamlessly embraced his leadership role and took charge when it mattered most. He dismissed both openers with the new ball and returned to finish off the game with a precise yorker. Fittingly, he was named Player of the Match.

Since his international debut in July 2022, no pacer has claimed more T20 wickets than Arshdeep, a testament to how effectively he has harnessed his abilities. He may lack the express pace of some of his peers and doesn’t intimidate batters with a fierce glare. His easygoing smile hardly contributes to the aura of a fearsome fast bowler. Off the field, he’s an open book, but on it, he’s a different story.

It’s no wonder that Arshdeep has consistently secured his place in the squad, delivering strong performances even in the absence of some of India’s star bowlers. His ambition to break into the Test side and play across all formats—something he has openly discussed in the past—seems like the natural next step.

When asked about this possibility in Delhi, amidst the buzz surrounding the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Arshdeep downplayed the subject. “I want to do my best in all formats, wherever I get the opportunity,” was his only response.

India’s relentless white-ball schedule has meant that the left-arm pacer has had limited opportunities in red-ball cricket, featuring in just three Ranji Trophy matches for Punjab since his international debut. However, he has sought to stay sharp in the longer format by playing county cricket, representing Kent last year under the guidance of former head coach Rahul Dravid. Although his stint wasn’t remarkable—averaging over 41 with the Dukes ball—it was a valuable learning experience.

Bowling on flat English pitches allowed Arshdeep to adapt better to the ODI format, and later that year, he was named Player of the Series in a three-match ODI series in South Africa. Recently, he showcased his red-ball potential with an impressive six-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy, further solidifying his case for Test cricket.

Reflecting on how red-ball cricket enhances his T20 skills, Arshdeep shared, “Playing T20 feels easier after red-ball cricket. You learn to adapt quickly to conditions, ground dimensions, or formats. It gives you a chance to explore your skills, take wickets in various ways, and manage pressure. Red-ball cricket teaches you patience. In T20s, patience isn’t necessary; you must think ahead of the batter.”

Despite his rising prominence in Indian cricket and the increasing speculation about him stepping into other formats, Arshdeep remains grounded and focused on the present.

“My life mantra is to enjoy the moment. Today is my rest day, so I’ll enjoy my rest today,” he said on the eve of the Delhi T20I, having only come to the Arun Jaitley stadium for a sponsor event and this press conference. “The T20 World Cup is two years away. That’s a long time. I don’t think much about the future. Others are getting stressed (smiles).”

For now, Arshdeep continues to do what he does best: staying calm, focused, and trusting that tomorrow will take care of itself. Or as he puts it, “kal ka kal dekhenge.”