IND vs ENG: Arshdeep Singh To Make India Test Debut at The Oval
India likely to debut Arshdeep Singh in Oval Test vs England after pacer recovers from hand injury and bowls full in nets.
India are likely to hand a debut Test cap to Arshdeep Singh in the fifth and final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval.
The left-arm pacer, who had missed the Manchester Test due to a hand injury, bowled at full pace during Tuesday’s optional net session.
The team management had kept him in the plans for the last two games, but the stitches on his bowling hand delayed the call.
With Jasprit Bumrah’s selection still not confirmed, India are looking at a three-seamer attack with Siraj, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep.
“He’s ready now. He’s done the hard work and deserves the red-ball chance,” said his childhood coach Jaswant Rai. “If not in England, then where?”
Arshdeep has already played 63 T20Is and 9 ODIs, and was one of India’s heroes in the T20 World Cup win.
He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament and bowled a match-defining 19th over in the final against South Africa.
But red-ball cricket was always on his radar. “Asli pressure toh paanch din waala hota hai,” he had said in Ahmedabad during a domestic game.
In the last month, he has been working under bowling coach Morne Morkel to prepare for this moment. The fifth Test starts Thursday. India trail 2-1 in the series.
