As soon as the winning runs were scored in the Champions Trophy final earlier this year, the camera panned to the dugout, capturing Arshdeep Singh in motion. While the rest of the players were watching from the comfort of the dressing room, Arshdeep was standing just behind the boundary. When the victory was confirmed, he was among the first to sprint onto the field, his arms up in the air, and a wide beaming smile on his face. His exclusion from the team did not dull his excitement. He knew that his omission was never a reflection of his skillset, but a strategic decision by the team. And who appreciates a good strategy better than this left-arm pacer, who has carved out a reputation for bowling some of the toughest overs in the game? He is trusted to escape unhurt when bowlers are meant to be smothered; he is sent to seize early opportunities when the field is closed; he is called to ground the opponents every time they are flying, and more often than not, he steps up to the occasion.
His stature in international cricket has grown with every match he has played. In less than a year, he has now stacked two ICC titles. For a man who once begged an extra year from his father to pursue cricket, these are not ordinary achievements. But this is just the beginning for the 26-year-old pacer from Punjab. He has not chosen this sport for a flicker of fame. “Winning two major ICC trophies and receiving individual recognition is humbling. However, the focus is always on continuous improvement. My next goal is to contribute to India's success across all formats, work on my skills, and be prepared for future challenges, including Test cricket,” says Arshdeep, who is currently representing Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Six years ago, when Arshdeep still had rough edges, Punjab Kings took a punt on him, integrating him into their lineup for a modest fee. Opportunities were scant in his first season, where he could make only three appearances. But his sophomore year in the IPL offered a glimpse of what to expect. He claimed nine wickets across eight games, but even more telling was his ability to shackle batters with his variations, as reflected in his economy rate of 8.77. Then came 2021—a breakthrough season that elevated his status to being a household name. He was no longer a prospect, but a problem for the batters. He would swing the ball both ways, nail a lethal leg-cutter, and deliver a toe-crushing yorker. He also humbly acknowledges the role of this franchise in his career, and year after year he is justifying the trust with his stellar performance. This season he has already taken 16 wickets before the league was interrupted. “This franchise has backed me from the very beginning. I share a deep, invaluable bond with the team and the fans. I am looking forward to contributing to the rich legacy of Punjab,” says Arshdeep.
On the weight of his IPL heroics, he was fast-tracked into the national team, where he has now grown into the most trusted bowler in the T20Is. Whether tasked with getting early breakthroughs in the Powerplay or choking the runs in the death overs, Arshdeep aces his roles with perfection. Since his debut, no player has taken more wickets than him in these two phases. It's rare to see a bowler who thrives at both ends of the innings. But how does he do it? By perfecting a whole lot of trickery to his armoury. “In the Powerplay, my focus is on swing, accuracy, and making early breakthroughs. The field restrictions mean there is little margin for error, so discipline is key. Bowling in death overs is all about getting the execution right—mixing yorkers, slower balls, and wide deliveries to outthink the batter,” quips Arshdeep.
His ability to stay unfazed is what makes him the preferred choice for any captain in high-stakes situations. The most defining moment of his career came last year when the captain Rohit Sharma asked him to bowl the penultimate over of the ICC T20 World Cup final. With David Miller and Keshav Maharaj on strike, South Africa were just 20 runs away from victory when Arshdeep came to bowl. There was no margin for error. He shifted the momentum in India's favour by conceding just four runs in the over. “I tried to focus on my executions, not on the occasion. I wanted to rise to the challenge. The plan was clear—back my strengths, remain composed, and deliver under pressure. It's also important to have a short memory in this phase—whether the previous ball was a dot or a boundary, the next delivery needs full focus,” he explains.
India have long sought a reliable left-arm seamer. Many showed promises, only to flicker away soon. In Arshdeep, they seem to have discovered a genuine treasure, armed with the perfect skillset to continue dominating the scene for years to come. It's only poetic that he grew up admiring India's last truly elite left-arm seamer, Zaheer Khan. “I always looked up to Zaheer Khan for his ability to swing the ball and perform in crucial moments. Then I closely followed Mitchell Starc's pace and ability to execute yorkers,” he says.
It's been only three years since Arshdeep made his T20I debut, and he has already become the country's leading wicket-taker. Though T20 is his strongest suit, he is too versatile a bowler to be boxed in as a mere T20 specialist. His fledgling ODI record—14 wickets across nine outings—paints a promising picture. And he feels prepared to step up as a Test bowler too. In 2023, he spent the summer honing his red ball skill in England, where he signed up for Kent in the County Championship. Having played five matches, he came back as a more refined bowler, with a better understanding of his strengths. “The conditions in England demand patience and adaptability, and the long spells helped me refine my bowling rhythm. While variations are crucial in limited-overs cricket, maintaining control and accuracy is equally important. It improved my decision-making as a bowler. Finding the right balance is an ongoing process but I now have a better understanding of choosing the moments to attack or defend,” he says.
It was in the verdant field of Kent where he understood the significance of hitting the right length consistently, a trait that will surely benefit him when he plays Test cricket for India. "I believe Test cricket is the ultimate test of a cricketer's skill and temperament. I have worked on my red-ball game, and whenever the opportunity comes, I want to be fully prepared to contribute to the team," he says.
To excel in such diverse situations needs not only immense skill but also a strategic mindset. What makes Arshdeep an anomaly is his ability to do it all at a brisk pace. He is not someone who smothers a batter with blistering pace alone. He thrives on guile, the subtleties of his craft, the simplicity of his setup, which hoodwinks batters and viewers alike. The deception begins with his run-up, swift and steady, then a poised leap in the air before the ball leaves his hand. The landing seems easy, and effortless. It's hard to imagine how a motion that is all elan and grace can produce something so deadly. Then there is a disarming smile that only adds to his deception. Fast bowlers have this reputation of being perennially angry characters, a force of rage and fury, adding an air of intimidation to whatever they do. Arshdeep, however, exudes joviality. The travails of elite sport do not weigh him down. He is here to have fun.
