Arshdeep Singh's wicket-taking prowess is better than Jasprit Bumrah: Aakash Chopra

Former India international Aakash Chopra lauded Arshdeep Singh's wicket-taking ability in the shortest format of the game after the left-arm seamer was roped in by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 18 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Arshdeep was the first player to find a team at the two-day event held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As many as seven teams -  Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Rajasthan Royals (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were interested in acquiring the services of Arshdeep. SRH placed a bid of INR 15.75 crore and Punjab decided to exercise one of their four Right To Match (RTM) cards.

The 2016 IPL champions decided to shell out INR 18 crore but Punjab Kings were happy to have the 25-year-old in their team at that price. While giving his take on Arshdeep continuing with Punjab, Chopra praised the youngster for his versatility and rated his wicket-taking prowess in T20Is above the legendary Jasprit Bumrah.

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"They said at the start that they wanted Arshdeep for Rs 18 crore. They would have spent that much only had they retained him. He is a Punjabi and will remain with the Punjabis, and he is very good. New ball, old ball, Indian fast bowler. If someone is able to do that consistently after Bumrah, it's Arshdeep. In fact, he has run ahead of even Bumrah in terms of wicket-taking prowess (in T20Is). He remains a little expensive but has run ahead of him because he is a wicket-taker," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Arshdeep top leading wicket-taker for India in T20Is after Chahal

Speedster Arshdeep Singh is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in T20I cricket. He has 95 scalps from 60 matches at an average of 18.11. Yuzvendra Chahal tops the list of leading wicket-takers for the Men in Blue in T20I cricket. He has 96 wickets to his name from 80 matches at 22.45. Interestingly, Chahal also joined the Punjab Kings squad, bagging the same deal as Arshdeep of INR 18 crore.