Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun feels that Asia Cup may turn out to ba a big challenge for Arshdeep Singh as the latter is short of match practice. This comes after Arshdeep was not given any chance in the playing XI despite getting selected in the squad for the five-match Test series against England.
However, the left-arm pacer will be featuring for the side in the continental tournament and will also be having the responsibility of leading the Men in Blue's pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Notably, Arshdeep is the highest wicket-taker for India in the shortest format with 99 scalps under his name so far. He will definitely be expected to give valiant contributions with the ball in the competition.
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Arun stated that Arshdeep currently isn't in the rhythm to bowl as he hasn't featured in a match for quite some time and has only spent time bowling in the nets. He further stated that it will be very important for Arshdeep to regain his rhythm quickly as he will be featuring in Asia Cup.
"Arshdeep, we all know what he is capable of doing. He must have bowled a lot in England, but he is definitely short of match practice. The rhythm really comes from playing matches, no matter how much you bowl in the net and practice sessions," Arun told PTI.
"I think it is important to bowl in matches. It's a big challenge for Arshdeep. How quickly he gets back his match rhythm would be very, very important. It can be in a jiffy or it can take him a couple of matches to get into rhythm," he added.
Arshdeep recently featured in Duleep Trophy
Meanwhile, Arshdeep was recently in action for North Zone in Duleep Trophy. He only played one match in the tournament which was against East Zone and finished with a single wicket under his name. Earlier, the 26-year-old was brilliant for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 and racked up 21 wickets in 17 matches. It now remains to be seen if he will be able to make an impressive comeback to the international circuit with Asia Cup.
On the other hand, India will be kicking-off their campaign in the competition with the clash against UAE on September 10 before locking horns against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. Their group stage will come to a conclusion with the match against Oman on September 19.