Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the breeding ground for Indian cricketers. From Jasprit Bumrah to Hardik Pandya, we have seen several Indian stars make a mark in the cash-rich tournament and then make their way into the senior national side. One name on that list is Arshdeep Singh, who has now evolved into one of India's best bowlers in the shortest format of the game.
His ability to excel in the toughest phase of the game - the death overs - has made him untouchable in the Indian T20 side and he will now feature in his first T20 World Cup.
Early life
Arshdeep was born in Guna, Madhya Pradesh on February 5, 1999. Born into a Sikh family, Arshdeep received education from Guru Nanak Public School in Chandigarh.
Domestic cricket
The 23-year-old left-arm pacer made his domestic debut in 2018 for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. But the fans got their first glimpse of Arshdeep in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. So far, he has played six first-class matches, bagging 21 wickets in the process. His skill, however, is tailor-made for the shortest format of the game and he got a chance to display his talent in the IPL when Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) bought him in the auction.
Since making his IPL debut in 2019, Arshdeep has grown from strength to strength. His ability to nail yorkers at will in death overs forced the franchise to retain before the mega auction for the 2022 season of the IPL.
So far, the left-arm pacer has played 37 matches in the cash-rich tournament, picking 40 wickets in the process. He has an economy rate of 8.35 in the IPL, which is excellent when you consider the phase during which he is asked to bowl by his captain.
T20I cricket
Arshdeep made his India debut in 2022 against England in a T20I match in Southampton. From thereon, the left-arm pacer has evolved as the best death bowler in the country. His rise coincided with Jasprit Bumrah - regarded as the best Indian bowler currently - being sidelined due to a back injury. And in Bumrah's absence, the Punjab Kings' bowler has ensured India have at least one reliable bowler when things get tricky towards the end of the innings.
The left-arm pacer has played 12 T20Is for the Men in Blue so far in his career, picking 17 wickets in the process. His economy rate of 7.44 is brilliant and India would hope that Arshdeep can shoulder the load of death bowling in the T20 World Cup, even more so now with Bumrah injured.
