Expecting a lot more from Arshdeep Singh – Aakash Chopra on fast bowler’s recent form

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra is expecting a lot more from Arshdeep Singh in the remaining two T20Is against Ireland. Singh hasn’t been at his absolute best in the recent past and he will be determined to turn the tables.

The left-arm seamer returned with figures of 1-35 in the first T20I against Ireland at the Village, Dublin on Friday and thus conceded his runs at an economy rate of 8.80.

On the other hand, Singh scalped seven wickets in the five T20Is against the West Indies but conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 9.18 and needs to pull up his socks.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Arshdeep – it’s interesting that we are seeing a lot of ups and downs. He was unfortunately not used that well in the IPL and after that, he has been trying to find his rhythm intermittently. He bowls a lot of wides and at times the ball doesn’t get pitched at the right spot.”

The former Indian opener added: “He proved expensive in the last two overs in the last match. So I am personally expecting a lot more from Arshdeep Singh. Bumrah, Arshdeep, Prasidh Krishna, Ravi Bishnoi – these four bowlers will pick up the majority of the wickets today also because these four bowlers have very good qualities.”

The renowned commentator added that if Washington Sundar has to take wickets, then Jasprit Bumrah must give him the ball in the Powerplay overs. Sundar had figures of 3-0-19-0 in the first T20I against Paul Stirling’s team.

“If you want to use Washington Sundar properly as a bowler, if you want to see wickets in his account, you will have to bowl him with the new ball, but he won’t be able to bowl with the new ball because he won’t get a chance.”

However, Chopra wants Indian bowlers to bowl the majority of the Powerplay overs as there is a good chance of swing and seam in the early phase of an innings.

“When the ball is swinging and the pitch is green, you want to go with Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh. Why should you bowl even one over of spin? Don’t do it if it’s not required, although you can do that for Paul Stirling as the ball will hit the stumps if he plays across the line.”

The second T20I between India and Ireland will be played at the Village, Dublin on Sunday.