Arshdeep Singh confirmed to make Test debut for India at The Oval

Arshdeep Singh is on the verge of earning his maiden Test cap as India prepare to face England in the fifth and final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, set to commence on July 31 at The Oval. The left-arm pacer, who had been sidelined with a hand injury that required stitches, has now regained full fitness.

Arshdeep Singh was not included in the first three Tests of the ongoing series against England. However, he was in line to debut in the fourth Test at Manchester after Akash Deep suffered a groin issue.

Arshdeep's hopes were dashed when he picked up a thumb injury during a practice session in Beckenham, ruling him out of contention. Anshul Kambli made his Test debut for India in Arshdeep's absence.

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Arshdeep Singh to make his Test debut at The Oval

India are likely to hand Arshdeep Singh his Test debut in the final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, as per a Times of India report. Arshdeep is expected to feature at The Oval after recovering from injury.

His inclusion will prompt another change to India’s bowling combination. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep are expected to be the other two seamers, while a final decision on Jasprit Bumrah's participation will be taken closer to the match.

Arshdeep is being seen as the most promising left-arm seamer since Zaheer Khan. While it remains to be seen how he performs in London, confidence in his temperament and skill appears high.

He Should Get a Chance to Play With the Red Ball - Arshdeep Singh’s Childhood Coach

Arshdeep Singh’s childhood coach, Jaswant Rai, backed the pacer’s potential Test debut, calling it the ultimate milestone for any cricketer. Rai said Arshdeep is now fully ready for red-ball cricket, having put in years of hard work and preparation.

He emphasized that Arshdeep has the ability to provide the kind of balance India have long been searching for in their Test bowling lineup. Rai added that the left-arm seamer has earned his place.

"Playing red-ball cricket for the country is the ultimate dream of any cricketer. The same is with Arshdeep," Arshdeep's childhood coach Jaswant Rai tells TimesofIndia.com.

"Wo pak chuka hai (He is ripe now). He should get a chance to play with the red ball. He can bring the balance that India has been looking for so long.

"He has patiently done the hard yards, and I might sound biased, but he deserves the Test cap. If not in England, then where?"

Arshdeep Singh Set To Bring His White-Ball Success into Red-Ball Cricket

Arshdeep Singh is set to bring his white-ball success into red-ball cricket. The 25-year-old left-arm pacer has already played 63 T20Is and 9 ODIs. Notably, he was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the recent T20 World Cup with 17 scalps. He bowled a tight 19th over, conceding just four runs in the final.

Even before India’s squad was announced for the England tour, Arshdeep had his sights set on red-ball cricket. Over the past month, he has been working intensively on his bowling under the watchful eye of bowling coach Morne Morkel.

With the fifth and final Test against England set to begin on Thursday, Arshdeep is now poised to take the next big step in his career.

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