Former international batter and six-time IPL champion Ambati Rayudu opened up about the recent struggles of Arshdeep Singh during Punjab Kings’ campaign. The former batter said that the left-arm pacer may be dealing with both mental and physical fatigue, which has affected his bowling lengths in recent matches.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by seven wickets with two overs remaining in their final group stage clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday, May 23. Chasing a target of 197 runs, the Shreyas Iyer-led team successfully completed the chase and ended their six-match losing streak.
“He Doesn’t Have the Same Juice” - Ambati Rayudu Criticizes Arshdeep Singh
Ambati Rayudu expressed concerns about Arshdeep Singh’s physical condition. Rayudu said that the left-arm pacer currently lacks his usual sharpness and intensity, adding that he should adjust by bowling much fuller lengths.
“He should be mindful of that because his short ball, he doesn't have a great bouncer at the moment, maybe because of his body being tired or he doesn't have the same juice as what he did a few months back. But he definitely has to compensate. If he has to overcompensate, he needs to be full.”
Arshdeep endured a difficult outing against Lucknow Super Giants, finishing with figures of 0/52 in three overs. The left-arm pacer conceded runs at an economy rate of 17.33, and the captain chose not to bowl his final over.
“Even in the Death, Arshdeep Singh Should Be Bowling Yorkers” - Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu also questioned the tactical approach used by Arshdeep Singh during the powerplay and death overs. Rayudu advised the left-arm pacer to avoid bowling too many short deliveries and instead focus more on yorkers and fuller lengths.
“I just think his lengths [are the problem]. He's not someone who should be bowling a lot of short deliveries. Even in the death, he should be bowling yorkers. And even with the new ball, whenever he has bowled full, except for the first ball which was driven through the covers, I don't think his fuller balls went for so many runs as much as the short of length deliveries or the short ball.”
Arshdeep has conceded 541 runs in 14 matches this season, the most by any bowler in the tournament. He remains Punjab Kings’ leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets, but his economy rate of 10.20 is expensive.
“At Some Stage, It Has to Catch Up With the Players” - Mark Boucher Defends Arshdeep Singh
Former South Africa cricketer Mark Boucher defended Arshdeep Singh’s overall skill level and added that the struggles are mainly due to the heavy workload he has carried over the past few months.
“I think it's just being tired [after the T20 World Cup] and this month being the IPL, and he had to play in this. That's the reason why he's like that. I don't think it's got anything to do with his skill or his talent. At some stage, it [the fatigue] has to catch up with the players. It's just, it's natural.”
Arshdeep struggled with his control during the recent win, bowling four wides against Lucknow Super Giants. He has already bowled 28 wides this season and is nearing Matheesha Pathirana’s unwanted record of 32 wides from the previous IPL edition.
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