Arshdeep Singh set for India Test debut in England; selectors book tickets

India’s pace attack is all set to feature a new star for the upcoming England series, and he is none other than the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. The Indian selectors have reportedly earmarked Arshdeep Singh for a landmark Test debut in the high-stakes five-match series against England.

After lighting up IPL 2025 with raw pace and remarkable control, the 26-year-old Punjab Kings (PBSK) sensation has caught the attention of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. They have already marked Arshdeep as a key weapon for the England tour, having been impressed by his lethal swing, smart variations, and a temperament made for high-stakes cricket.

Indian selectors set to pick Arshdeep Singh for England Test tour after IPL 2025 heroics

According to The Telegraph, Arshdeep Singh has already been privately tipped off and instructed to get ready for his Test debut in England in the highly anticipated five-match Test series, with the iconic English conditions expected to perfectly suit his left-arm swing bowling.

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With 16 wickets in just 11 innings this IPL season at an impressive strike rate of 15.1, Arshdeep hasn’t just taken wickets and helped PBKS to reach the playoffs, but he has also dismantled some of the strongest batting lineups with his movement and accuracy.

His ability to swing the ball both ways, especially under cold and cloudy skies like those in Dharamsala, has convinced the Indian selectors that Arshdeep is tailor-made for English conditions. Now, they are hoping the pacer would bring that same venom to Test cricket, especially with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami’s fitness under a cloud.

Read Also: Wasim Jaffer picks India squad for England Test and New Test Captain

Arshdeep Singh’s Kent stint boosts his Test debut chances

Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh’s stint with Kent in the English County Championship in 2023 could play a big role in helping him break into India’s Test team. He took 13 wickets in five matches and bowled over 160 overs.

This County Championship stint helped the Punjab lad to understand how to bowl longer spells and hit the right areas with the red ball. Notably, it was former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid who advised Arshdeep to try county cricket after he did well in limited-overs cricket.

That move gave him important experience in English conditions, especially with the Dukes ball, and selectors would certainly take this into account. Well, the selectors are already convinced that Arshdeep’s left-arm pace can add variety to India’s bowling attack in the upcoming Test series in England.

India's Test squad set to be announced this week

However, the pacer has played only two Ranji Trophy games for the Punjab team last season, but the national selectors are confident he has the skills to do well in red-ball cricket and are ready to back him in the transition phase.

Notably, the Indian selectors are likely to announce the Test squad for the England tour on May 23 or 24. While there are reports that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and opener Shubman Gill are the top contenders for the Test captaincy, nothing has been confirmed officially yet.

Read Also: Jacob Bethell out of RCB for IPL 2025 playoffs; franchise picks KIWI replacement