Ravi Shastri backs Arshdeep Singh to play for India in the T20I World Cup

Former India head-coach Ravi Shastri

With the T20I World Cup just a couple of months away, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Arshdeep Singh to make it to the Indian squad. India have a lot of pace options for the upcoming ICC event including the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, and others.

Bumrah and Bhuvi are two confirmed pacers for the Indian seam line-up. However, one spot is open as there are chances of Harshal Patel missing the tournament due to injury.

Speaking about the seam combination, Shastri hailed Arshdeep as a perfect addition to the squad. The former head coach believes that being a left-arm seamer, the left-hander can give an extra edge to the Men in Blue.

Australia playing conditions will suit Arshdeep

Apart from Arshdeep, the veteran named Mohammed Shami, Bumrah, and Kumar as three other pacers in the team for the T20I World Cup.

“I think very close to because India need variety. And in Australia, left-armers normally do a good job. There is bounce and the angle that he creates. He will be an ideal foil when you look at the Indian attack.

“It should have Bhuvi, Jasprit, Shami and then if you put him in the mix and all you might know that he might play in one of the games given the opportunity,” Shastri said while speaking to Fancode.

A glance at the left-hander’s bowling stats

Arshdeep rose to fame in the Indian Premier League while plying his trade for franchise Punjab Kings. Since his debut in the T20 league in 2019, the 23-year-old has featured in 37 matches picking 40 wickets at an economy rate of 8.35.

The left-armer has translated his good performance for India as well on the big stage. He has donned the Blue jersey in five T20I Internationals picking nine wickets at an average of 12.56.

Shastri names four Indian seamers for the T20 World Cup

Shastri seemed highly impressed with the young rookie’s stats. The legend believes that India should include him in the team just for the sake of adding variation to the squad.

“I will include him for variety. If there are four pacers picked there I would pick three right-armers and one left-armer and one all-rounder which is Hardik Pandya. Jasprit and Bhuvi are certainties and I feel Shami will get the nod,” Shastri concluded.

Also Read: Harshal Patel ruled out of Asia Cup, T20 World Cup due to a side strain: Reports