IPL 2022: Arshdeep Singh delighted after India call-up, reveals how he improved with Punjab Kings batters

Delighted to earn a maiden national call-up, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh said bowling to the big-hitting Punjab Kings batters in the nets helped him perfect his yorkers. The 23-year-old, who has impressed one and all with his death over bowling this season, ended his IPL 2022 campaign with 10 wickets and an economy rate of 7.70.

His ability to bowl the change-ups along with wide yorkers and deliveries in the block-hole earned him a place in the squad for the home series against South Africa next month. Arshdeep got to know the good news on his way to Punjab’s last league stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday (May 22).

“I got to know just before the match, in the bus that I have got selected in the Indian team. Because the match was going on I didn’t feel much,” Arshdeep told teammate Harpreet Brar after Punjab Kings’ five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“It will sink in slowly. It is a special moment. I feel lucky and grateful would like to continue like this,” he added.

The youngster, who served as a net bowlers for the Indian team in an away series against Sri Lanka last year, said bowling to world-class batters, including Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan and Liam Livingstone, in the Punjab Kings nets session helped him perfect his craft. “Credit goes to management. They got such batters in the team that the only option to stop them in the nets was by bowling yorkers. And that improved my ability to bowl yorkers.”

From the secret behind the Player of the Match performance to a special celebration on the #TeamIndia call-up. @thisisbrar & @arshdeepsinghh chat after @PunjabKingsIPL's win over #SRH. - By @28anand

Full interview #TATAIPL | #SRHvPBKShttps://t.co/CcASEuOBeg pic.twitter.com/xXBVX1tw0e — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 23, 2022

Teammate Harpreet Brar, who returned the best bowling figures for his side in IPL 2022’s last league game at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, taking three wickets for 26 runs in his four overs as PBKS defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets, added that representing the country is every cricketer`s dream and he was happy that Arshdeep had made the grade.

“I am happy for Arshdeep, he has got an opportunity to represent the country because that`s what a player seeks out to do,” said Brar.

Brar added that he would look to polish his skills further and come back stronger in the next season. “I will look to work on my skills in the upcoming season and I firstly look forward to spending time with my family, having not seen them for four months,” said the 26-year-old.

(With agency inputs)