"He’s come a very different bowler" - Ex-India bowling coach credits Arshdeep Singh's County stint for his growth

Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has credited Arshdeep Singh's stint in county cricket as the reason for his growth and development as a red-ball bowler. Arshdeep played for Kent during the 2023 season of the County championship.

He played five matches for Kent and picked up 13 wickets at an average of 41.76. The numbers might not look great but the left-armer later described that the stint helped in his evolution as a bowler.

Arshdeep made his international debut in T20Is and established his place in the Playing XI through brilliant performances. His ability with the new ball stood out while he also possessed skills as a death bowler. He made his ODI debut later that year.

But his limited experience in first-class cricket has always raised questions about his ability in the longest format. However, the youngster seems to have broken that code now.

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Paras Mhambrey speaks on Arshdeep Singh's future in Tests

During a conversation with News18 CricketNext, Paras Mhambrey spoke about Arshdeep Singh's future in red-ball cricket. The former India bowling coach lauded Arshdeep for his performances in ODI and T20I cricket.

"I think the idea was to make sure Arshdeep plays a lot of first-class cricket. I think with the red ball especially. He’s really doing well in the white ball. If you look at the way he goes about T20 format, he’s fabulous," Mhambrey said.

Mhambrey further spoke about Arshdeep's chances with the red ball. He said that Arshdeep has been given a break in between in order to play more Ranji matches which will help in his growth as a red ball bowler.

"Obviously, the challenge is sometimes now taking forward to the red ball. I think that was the idea for us to make sure that in between where he was not part of the white ball team, he was given a break, made sure that when the Test cricket was going on, we made sure that he played Ranji Trophy."

"And I think that’s where you really get better. You challenge yourself mentally, physically. You’re a lot more bowling, you’re doing it. And the more you bowl, you can get a lot of control. So, the idea was to make sure that he plays Ranji Trophy," Mhambrey added.

Despite playing numerous white-ball matches, Arshdeep Singh is yet to make his Test debut. He has played just 16 first-class matches so far in which he has picked up 49 wickets at an average of 31.97.

Paras Mhambrey credits Arshdeep Singh's County stint for his growth

Mhambrey remembered the time when the English county Kent approached Arshdeep Singh and reckoned it was a game-changing moment for the youngster. The former India seamer mentioned that the challenges of playing county cricket helped Arshdeep Singh become an improved bowler.

"When the county approached, I think that’s where we are, obviously (KL) Rahul was also on par with this, and said, “Okay go through that experience.” Because county cricket is challenging. You’re playing four days, you’re driving from one end to the other, get two days break and then you’re playing a game, so it’s constant travel bowling and you are challenged physically and mentally."

"You play as a pro all. So, you have a lot of responsibility, expected to pick wickets, expected to win matches, so that added responsibility is always there. So obviously you have to be on top of the game, you can’t be below par in any of the game, so you have to keep pushing yourself, right? I think that stint also has helped him because he’s come a very different bowler. He’s confident now," Mhambrey concluded.

Arshdeep Singh's record in International cricket

Arshdeep Singh has picked up 83 wickets in 54 T20Is at an average of 18.75 and an economy rate of 8.37 so far. He played a key role in India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 where he emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 12.64 and an economy rate of 7.16.

Arshdeep has also played 8 ODIs so far and picked up 12 wickets at an average of 24.08 and an economy rate of 5.05. He already has a five-wicket haul to his name in ODI cricket.