Punjab’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh vows to impress his U-19 World Cup coach Rahul Dravid in the upcoming Sri Lanka series. The left-arm seamer has been selected as a net bowler for the tour. Arshdeep was part of the U-19 World Cup-winning team in New Zealand under the guidance of Rahul Dravid.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Arshdeep Singh bagged seven wickets in six matches for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021
• Arshdeep Singh has become Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul’s go-to bowler in the death
• For a fast bowler to reach perfection is a continuous process, says Arshdeep

Punjab’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, selected as a net bowler for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, is excited to work with his 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid and has vowed to impress the coach during the series.

“To get a call was surreal. I was not expecting it at all. And to work with Rahul sir again is kind of a cherry on the cake. I have very fond memories of working with Rahul Sir. It is a great opportunity for me to work with him again. He is someone who treats every player in the squad equally. I will try to impress him and will definitely pick up his brain in the Sri Lanka tour,” Arshdeep told IndiaToday.In.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led team will play three ODIs and three T20Is against the hosts at the R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo. The ODIs will take place on July 13, 16, and 18, while the T20Is will be played on July 21, 23, and 25.

Three years ago, India won the U-19 World Cup under the leadership of Prithvi Shaw in New Zealand. The team was hand-picked by Rahul Dravid, the coach of the team. During the campaign, the preferred fast-bowling troika consisted of Ishan Porel, Shivam Mavi, and Kamlesh Nagarkoti. Arshdeep Singh got his chance only when Porel was injured. Arshdeep picked three wickets from the two matches and showed immense potential. Along with Porel, Mavi and Nagarkoti, he was marked as one for the future.

“I have very fond memories of the U-19 World Cup. It was Rahul sir, who picked me for the U-19 World Cup and has always appreciated my performance, whether it is for Punjab in the domestic circuit or the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL),” said Arshdeep.

KL Rahul’s go-to man

If it was one Rahul (Dravid), who showed the potential in Arshdeep, then it was another Rahul (KL) who helped him flourish. In the IPL 2020, which was held in the UAE, Arshdeep caught everyone’s attention. The youngster played a pivotal role in Punjab Kings’ resurgence during the second half of the tournament.

Arshdeep became Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul’s go-to bowler at the death and impressed the skipper with his skill, attitude, and hard work. Arshdeep credits his growth to the IPL and Punjab Kings.

“Playing in the IPL changed me as a cricketer. When you start to bowl the likes of KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, David Malan, Nicholas Pooran in the nets, it helps you analyse your own flaws. The fear factor of bowling the crucial overs in the match has gone. I have started to back my executions, which helped me get the required results,” said Arshdeep.

Shami’s valuable tips

Arshdeep feels that spending time with Mohammed Shami in the IPL has helped him improve as a bowler by leaps and bounds. The impact Shami has had on Arshdeep is immense, and it is reflected in his performance as he showed no nerves against the power-hitters of the opposition teams.

Arshdeep received invaluable tips from Mohammed Shami.

“During the IPL, Shami bhai has always told me that for a fast bowler to reach perfection, one needs to keep on improving. It is a continuous process. And to increase my speed, he also suggested a few tricks. He has asked me to bowl with a shorter run-up and to work on my arm speed. It will help me generate pace. I have worked on it and will execute it in Sri Lanka in the nets,” said Arshdeep.

On India dream

The transition from U-19 cricket to the national side is not guaranteed, even for the most talented junior stars. In India, that path is even more challenging because you have to jostle for space. A hundred-odd equally talented boys are on the same track, and only a few are able to break out of the pack and move ahead; the majority will remain part of the crowd.

“I started playing the game because I fell in love with it as a kid. I am not someone who thinks about the results. My childhood coach Jastwan Rai has always told me to trust the process. My aim has always been to give my 100 per cent on the ground and keep learning from my seniors and juniors.

“My ultimate aim is to play for India, and I have reached one step closer to my dream. But the actual work has just begun,” he signed off.