Arshdeep Singh Ready For Test Cricket? Check Details

Arshdeep Singh has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format of cricket. His standout performances in both the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups have underscored his prowess, culminating in him finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker in 2024 alongside Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, with an impressive tally of 17 wickets. Looking ahead, there is growing speculation about Arshdeep's potential inclusion in India's Test squad. Paras Mhambrey, former India bowling coach, weighed in on this matter, emphasizing the significance of Arshdeep's readiness for the longer format. With India set to tour Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December, Mhambrey highlighted Arshdeep's suitability for swinging conditions, a trait that could make him a potent weapon for the team. Notably, Arshdeep already has exposure to Australian conditions from his white-ball cricket stint in 2022.

However, Mhambrey also pointed out the importance of Arshdeep gaining more experience in domestic cricket before making the leap to Test cricket. At 25 years old, Mhambrey believes that regular game time in the domestic circuit would better prepare Arshdeep for the challenges of Test cricket, ensuring he continues to refine his skills and adapt his game to the demands of the longest format.

“It depends on the conditions. Maybe in Australia, if we play four seamers, he has a chance. To get one in India will be very difficult at the moment. But I feel he just needs a little more game time in first-class cricket, just to get control over his swing and also know how to use reverse-swing, which will be very handy. He has the swing that works for him. It is about maintaining fitness and working on it. At the moment, he may not be a starter in Tests, but isn’t far away,” said Paras Mhambrey as quoted by Indian Express.

Mohammed Shami left a lasting impression with his stellar performance in the 2023 World Cup, emerging as the tournament's top wicket-taker. However, his journey in the competition began on a subdued note as he was initially left out of the starting lineup. It was only after Hardik Pandya suffered an injury midway through the tournament that Shami was called upon to join the squad.

Criticism directed towards the decision to exclude Shami initially reverberated widely. Paras Mhambrey, addressing the scrutiny, clarified that Shami had indeed been part of the team's strategic plans. The decision to start without him was attributed to the tactical combination the team management opted for at the outset of the World Cup. Mhambrey affirmed Shami's importance as a seasoned campaigner, underlining that his absence from the initial games was a tactical choice rather than a reflection of his capability or standing within the team. Shami's subsequent impactful performances underscored his readiness and affirmed his integral role in the team's campaign, ultimately silencing early doubts and reaffirming his stature as a pivotal asset in the squad.

“Shami was always there. But in bilateral series, you had to build a team as well and needed to factor in a lot of things like form and workload. Because of squad strength, he missed out. As far as the World Cup goes, Hardik (Pandya) was the fourth seamer in the squad and when it was clear he would be able to bowl his full quota of overs, he was going to be the third-choice seamer in the XI behind Bumrah and Siraj, who had an outstanding Asia Cup. So leaving out Shami was never an easy choice. Our combination didn’t allow him. But once Hardik was injured, Shami just came in,” Mhambrey added.