Arshdeep Singh. (Source – Getty Images)
With two back-to-back wins against Ireland and Pakistan, India are on the verge of qualifying for the Super 8 of the ongoing T20 World Cup. A win over hosts USA in their next match will seal them a spot but ahead of that, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised concerns regarding the bowling department. Speedster Jasprit Bumrah has been phenomenal, to say the least, but Chopra believes that left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has proved to be expensive so far.
The 25-year-old has picked up three wickets in two matches and has an economy rate of 8.25. In the USA, where the batters have struggled massively, Chopra believes that there’s a lot of room for improvement for the young pacer. The 46-year-old acknowledged that Arshdeep has done well with the ball but he has more expectations from the Guna-born pacer.
Also Read – Kamran Akmal apologizes after racist remarks on Arshdeep Singh
“Arshdeep Singh has done well, there is no doubt about that. However, my wishlist goes differently with Arshdeep. He has proved to be expensive. It’s slightly surprising to see Arshdeep Singh being expensive in these conditions but he has been expensive,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“I want him to pick up wickets with the new ball here, and then whenever he bowls, if he has to bowl 24 balls, he should concede close to 20-odd runs and pick up two or three wickets,” he added.
Chopra noted that in the Super 8, India may not play an extra seamer and can bench either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep. He believes that Bumrah is undroppable and since Arshdeep offers left-arm pace, he is ahead of Siraj in the race. Nevertheless, he expects the young pacer to be more economical and clinical.
“Although Arshdeep is still ahead in that list but Mohammed Siraj is right there. So if you have to play in the Super Eights and you don’t want to give your place to Siraj, because only two pacers will play, and one is certainly Bumrah, Arshdeep will have to capture this and the next match,” Chopra said.