“Certainly puts him ahead” – Anil Kumble feels Arshdeep Singh is above Mohammed Siraj in pecking order

Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble reckons Arshdeep Singh is ahead of Mohammed Siraj in the pecking order. Singh returned with impressive figures of 4-9 in the crucial match against the USA, which India won by seven wickets. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Match for his fine bowling display.

Singh has picked up seven wickets in the ongoing T20 World Cup whereas Siraj has scalped a solitary wicket in three games. While Singh has bowled with an economy rate of 6.25, Siraj has an economy rate of 5.18 in the tournament.

Kumble said Arshdeep also provides a left-arm option and he could be India’s second-choice seamer if they decided to play with only two frontline fast bowlers.

Anil Kumble said on ESPN Cricinfo, “I think the way he (Arshdeep) bowled that last over against Pakistan, and also the way he can bowl in different areas in the T20 game, I think certainly puts him ahead of Mohammed Siraj. If at all India takes that option of going with just the two seamers and Hardik Pandya. So yes, in that sense, plus he also gives you an extra variety with his left arm pace.”

On the other hand, former Indian pacer Varun Aaron reckons it is crucial that Arshdeep Singh takes his confidence forward. Singh wasn’t at his best in the first two matches against Ireland and Pakistan as he was slightly on the expensive side.

“He (Arshdeep) is getting the ball to shape back really effortlessly and at regular intervals, which we didn’t see that much in the IPL. It’s really important that he takes a lot of confidence from this game into the other games, especially the Super 8s. And especially these games are more about execution, and he executed really well today.”

India will next take on Canada at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.