Ravi Shastri wants Arshdeep Singh in India's T20 World Cup squad 'regardless of who sits out'

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said he would back left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh to be in Team India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, regardless of who would be left out. Shastri said he would pick three right-arm fast bowlers with one left-arm pacer and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

The former  all-rounder reckons that star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are certainly going to be in the India squad for the World Cup in Australia, adding that even Mohammed Shami could get the nod. Speaking about Arshdeep, he reasoned that left-arm pacers do well in Australia.

“I will keep him for variety regardless of who sits out,” said Shastri on FanCode. “I would pick three right-armers and one left-armer along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Jasprit [Bumrah] and Bhuvneshwar [Kumar] are certainties. I feel [Mohammed] Shami will also get the nod.”

Arshdeep Singh would be an ideal foil in the Indian attack: Shastri

Speaking further about Arshdeep, the former Indian all-rounder said, “In Australia, left-armers normally do a good job. There is bounce and the angle that he [Arshdeep Singh] creates. He will be an ideal foil when you look at the Indian attack.”

The 23-year-old left-arm seamer from Punjab has already made a mark on the international stage since his debut against England at Southampton on July 7, Saturday. He has played five T20Is and picked up nine wickets at an average of 12.55 and strike rate of 12.4 with an economy rate of 6.05. 

Arshdeep also brought up his best figures of three wickets for 12 runs in his previous outing against West Indies in the fourth T20I in Lauderhill, Florida, on August 6. He could be once again in action for the final T20I of the series against West Indies in Lauderhill on Sunday. Notably, India has already clinched the series, taking a 3-1 lead in the fourth T20I after a 59-run win. Avesh Khan was the Player of the Match, who picked up two wickets for 17 runs in four overs.