Indian cricket has always been blessed with a wide pool of fast bowlers, but finding a consistent left-arm pacer who can deliver across formats has been a challenge. Over the years, players like Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra set the benchmark, but after their retirements, India struggled to find a reliable replacement. In recent years, one name has been making waves in both domestic and international cricket – Arshdeep Singh. Known for his composure, accuracy, and ability to bowl under pressure, Arshdeep is quickly emerging as one of India’s brightest pace prospects.
Early Life and Background
Arshdeep Singh was born on 5 February 1999 in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, but he grew up in Kharar, near Chandigarh, Punjab. His father, Darshan Singh, is a retired Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) employee, while his mother, Baljit Kaur, is a homemaker. Arshdeep developed an interest in cricket at a very young age and started playing tennis-ball tournaments before joining a proper cricket academy in Chandigarh.
Under the guidance of his coach Jaswant Rai, Arshdeep honed his bowling skills, particularly his ability to swing the new ball and nail yorkers in the death overs. His performances at the junior level soon caught attention, and he was drafted into the India Under-19 team for the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where India lifted the trophy under the captaincy of Prithvi Shaw.
Domestic and IPL Journey
After making a mark at the junior level, Arshdeep transitioned to professional cricket with Punjab in domestic tournaments. However, his big breakthrough came in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was picked up by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2019. Though he didn’t get many opportunities initially, his talent became evident whenever he was given a chance.
By the 2020 season, Arshdeep had become a regular feature in Punjab’s playing XI. What stood out was his calmness in crunch situations, especially in the death overs – a phase where most young bowlers struggle. His ability to bowl yorkers, mix up slower deliveries, and keep his composure won him admiration from teammates, coaches, and fans alike.
The 2021 and 2022 IPL seasons proved to be turning points in his career. Despite not always ending up on the winning side, Arshdeep consistently executed his skills under pressure. His economy rate in the final overs was among the best in the league, and his accurate yorkers drew praise from several cricket experts, including the legendary Anil Kumble, who was Punjab’s head coach at the time.
Entry into International Cricket
Arshdeep’s consistent IPL performances earned him a spot in the Indian T20I squad in 2022. He made his debut against England in July that year and immediately impressed with his discipline. Later, he represented India in the Asia Cup 2022 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
One of his standout traits in international cricket has been his temperament. Even when under pressure or after being hit for runs, Arshdeep rarely loses focus. This mental strength, combined with his ability to swing the ball early and deliver accurate yorkers late, has made him an asset in India’s pace attack.
During the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Arshdeep was one of India’s leading wicket-takers. He dismissed big names such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in crucial matches, cementing his place as a bowler India can rely on.
Strengths and Bowling Style
Arshdeep Singh is not the fastest bowler in the Indian setup – he usually bowls in the 130–140 km/h range. However, his strength lies in his accuracy and variations.
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New ball swing: He can swing the ball both ways, troubling batters early on.
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Death bowling: His yorkers and slower balls are highly effective in the last few overs.
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Calm temperament: He rarely succumbs to pressure, a vital trait in T20 cricket.
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Left-arm angle: Being a left-arm seamer gives him a natural advantage, as it brings variety to India’s pace attack.
Challenges and Criticism
Like any young cricketer, Arshdeep has also faced his share of challenges. One notable moment came during the Asia Cup 2022, when he dropped a crucial catch against Pakistan. The mistake led to social media trolling and harsh criticism. However, he bounced back strongly, showing maturity beyond his years. Instead of letting the negativity affect him, Arshdeep continued to focus on his bowling and silenced critics with consistent performances.
Future Prospects
At just 24 years old, Arshdeep Singh has many years of cricket ahead of him. With India constantly looking to build a strong pace attack across formats, he is likely to play a significant role, especially in white-ball cricket. If he continues to develop his skills and fitness, there is no reason why he cannot become a mainstay in the Indian team, much like Zaheer Khan was during his era.
His performances in the IPL will also continue to shape his career. Playing against world-class batters in high-pressure situations has already accelerated his growth, and future seasons will only add to his experience. Moreover, with India focusing on grooming youngsters for the 2024 T20 World Cup and beyond, Arshdeep is well-placed to be one of the key bowlers in India’s plans.
Conclusion
Arshdeep Singh’s journey is a story of perseverance, talent, and composure. From playing tennis-ball cricket in Punjab to representing India on the global stage, he has come a long way in a short time. His ability to handle pressure, bowl accurately in crunch situations, and consistently improve his game sets him apart as one of the most promising fast bowlers in modern cricket.
As Indian cricket continues to evolve, players like Arshdeep are essential to maintaining balance in the squad. If he can stay injury-free and keep refining his craft, Arshdeep Singh is well on his way to becoming the next big name in Indian fast bowling.
