The Indian Premier League (IPL) provides the players with a platform to perform on the big stage and garner the attention of the national selectors. While performances in domestic cricket do matter, a dream run in IPL can quickly accelerate a player’s case.
In the 2021/22 season, many of the IPL performers made it to the national squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Later in the year, Umran Malik went on to play for India A after making his IPL debut in the 2nd half of the season.
One such player who has benefitted from IPL is Punjab Kings’ pacer Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer has impressed one and all since his IPL debut and was one of the two players to be retained by PBKS before the IPL 2022 mega auction. He had travelled to Sri Lanka as a net bowler and was added to the T20I squad after COVID-19 cases in Team India’s camp. Although he is uncapped, Arshdeep could be one of the future stars for Team India.
Sharing his take on the left-arm pacer, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has opined that Arshdeep is a far better bowler to have in the T20 side than Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
“India keeps going back to Bhuvneshwar Kumar – wonderful bowler. But today, we compare Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep, he is far better bowler to have in the T20 side – certainly in the top five,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
The noted commentator shared his take after the pacer’s heroics against Mumbai Indians. Although he went wicketless in the fixture, Arshdeep only spent 5 runs in the 18th over against Suryakumar Yadav, who was looking for big hits.
The PBKS’ pacer has only scalped 2 wickets in the season but has maintained an economy rate of 8.00, the best among other pacers in his team.
With India set to host South Africa in June, it remains to be seen if the youngster gets an opportunity. Meanwhile, PBKS won their previous fixture against MI and now sit at the 3rd spot in the points table.
