I will keep him for variety regardless of who sits out – Ravi Shastri backs Arshdeep Singh for T20I World Cup

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has put his weight behind Arshdeep Singh for the T20 World Cup. Shastri said he will keep the young fast bowler for variety irrespective of who sits out as he is a left-arm pacer. Singh has made a dream start to his International career and has been impressive in the recent past.

The left-arm pacer had bowled with a parsimonious economy rate of 7.70 in the Tata IPL 2022 while playing for Punjab Kings, which helped him earn a place in the Indian team. Singh returned with his best T20I bowling figures as he picked 3-12 in 3.1 overs in the fourth T20I against the West Indies in Florida on Saturday.

The fast bowler, who was born in Madhya Pradesh, has scalped nine wickets in five T20Is and has bowled with an economy rate of 6.05. The 23-year-old also made an impressive debut against England as he had taken two wickets.

As the rest of India’s fast bowlers are right-armers, Arshdeep Singh will bring a different angle and will add variety to the attack. Shastri believes Mohammed Shami will also be selected for the T20 World Cup squad.

While speaking to FanCode, Shastri said: “I will keep him for variety regardless of who sits out. 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.”

He added: “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.”

There is no doubt that Arshdeep Singh is ticking the right boxes since he made his debut against a potent England team. Singh has a great yorker under his arsenal and he can also get the ball to swing both ways in the PowerPlay overs. The left-arm pacer will definitely add value to the team and he is expected to get a nod in the T20 World Cup squad.

The fifth T20I between India and West Indies will be played in Florida on Sunday. India has already taken an impregnable lead of 3-1 in the series after winning the fourth T20I by 59 runs.