'He was also showing aggression' - Arshdeep Singh explains reason behind his aggressive celebration after dismissing Anukul Roy

Punjab Kings got their IPL 2023 campaign off to a winning start on Saturday, April 1, as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 runs (DLS), at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. After being put in to bat first, Punjab posted 191/5 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a half-century from Bhanuka Rajapaksa. 

In reply, Kolkata was restricted to 146/7 after 16 overs, when rain interrupted the match. Consequently, Punjab was awarded the game via the DLS method. Arshdeep Singh was awarded Player of the Match for his incredible spell of 3/19 in three overs. 

During his first over, he gave a send-off to Anukul Roy after dismissing him for 4 runs as the batter pulled a short delivery straight to Sikandar Raza at mid-wicket. Talking about his celebration in the post-match presentation, Arshdeep said that he showed aggression during his celebration as Roy had begun hitting him straightaway.  

"He (Anukul Roy) was my batch mate in under-19 cricket. He started to hit me straightaway so I wanted to show aggression. He was also showing aggression so my aggression also came out a bit. Players are expecting that I will bowl yorkers so I tried to surprise them a bit by bowling bouncers," the left-arm seamer said.

The 24-year-old drew first blood for Punjab as he dismissed Mandeep Singh off a short delivery in the second over of the innings. After dismissing Roy in the same over, he returned to bowl the 16^th over of the innings and picked up the crucial wicket of Venkatesh Iyers who was looking to attack after getting set at the crease.

I was using making use of the conditions on offer: Arshdeep Singh

Talking about his success in the game, the Madhya Pradesh-born seamer said that with the rain around the wicket had become a bit skiddy and he used the conditions to his advantage.

"There was some rain around so the wicket had become skiddy, so I was using making use of the conditions on offer. I am enjoying myself and the atmosphere in the dressing room is very good. Going ahead, we will try to keep enjoying and keep winning games for our side," Arshdeep concluded.

Apart from Arshdeep, Rahul Chahar also bowled an economical spell of 1/12 in two overs to set up a victory for the home side.