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Arshdeep Singh's story of childhood hustle, bus rides and dad’s friendly bowling rivalry

Jatin

Arshdeep Singh shared his family stories [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Arshdeep Singh shared his family stories [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Every cricketer has a story behind their rise and for Indian quick Arshdeep Singh, it is one filled with hard work, gratitude and a whole lot of travel. Long before he became India’s go-to left-arm pacer in white-ball cricket, Arshdeep was just a young kid from Punjab trying to make it to coaching on time: first on his mother’s scooter, then hanging out of crowded buses and finally on a bicycle that changed everything.

Arshdeep Singh reflects on his journey

Appearing on Gaurav Kapur’s show “Breakfast with Champions”, Arshdeep Singh shared memories from his early days, recalling how his mother and father played a huge part in shaping his journey.

“Yes, my mom used to take me to coaching. My school was in one place, and the academy was in a different place. This is my academy, this is the school. So at school, I had my lunch box, and my mom used to drop me off at the academy on her scooter. And when the academy finished, she would pick me up. Our house was nearby at that time,” Arshdeep recalled.

He laughed while talking about how things changed as he grew older.

“Then I grew up. So I started going by bus, the 15-kilometer journey. Now our house is here (a bit far). We shifted. First, we were in a rented place, then by God's grace, we got a house, so we're here. So I'm coming by bus from there. The bus travel is very hectic. I was hanging outside sometimes, completely. I thought, if I fall, what will be left of me? It's even more difficult in winter. You don't get a seat; you have to stand. So I told my family to get me a bicycle. I would have my own seat, right? I could sit whenever I wanted, and I could stand whenever I wanted.”

Strength from the bicycle

His father, who clearly knew a thing or two about discipline, gave him an extra push.

“So dad gave me extra motivation. ‘If you go on a cycle, your thighs will get strong.’ Nice. I was thinking, my thighs will get strong, and I've always had a craze for thighs. We saw Ronaldo’s thighs. I've had a craze for thighs from the beginning. So then I started cycling. I would easily cover 28-30 kilometers a day.”

When asked if he ever got bored cycling such long distances, Arshdeep couldn’t help but laugh and turn it into a competition.

“How will you get bored, paaji? Don't you do this? That car must not get ahead of me. I mean, you'll lose to a car? But here's that pole coming up. A bike is coming from there. I just have to reach the pole before it. Otherwise, I won't get wickets. Just a small target, right? Yeah, I have to beat that guy. What's the problem if I lose? No worries. The next car will come anyway. We're going a long way, right?”

That simple mindset: compete, improve and repeat has stayed with Arshdeep ever since.

Father and son rivalry

The left-armer also opened up about the fun, competitive relationship he shares with his father, who still plays local corporate cricket.

“Dad usually doesn't say anything after a good match. Dad plays corporate games on Saturday and Sunday. He used to play them in his youth too. He played Inter-University and all, then he got a job and had to quit. But now he's interested again. So he goes on Saturday and Sunday and bowls his sweet out-swingers,” Arshdeep shared.

He added with a grin:

“Dad is a right-hander. So dad bowls out-swing from the right, and I bowl in-swing from the left. So there's a different competition going on there. Before the match, he sends his stats. ‘Hey, I bowled four overs, gave 19 runs, and took two wickets. Do better than me.’”

And when things don’t go well for the left-arm pacer, his father doesn’t hold back either.

“And the day I get hit for runs, he sends a message immediately, ‘Who will bowl the wide yorker? I know he's waiting for the one in the middle.’ Oh, Dad, it doesn't work like that! The corporate guys don't hit the same way as they do here. Here, the ball is going for sixes off the bottom edge. So the class starts immediately. Now, everyone at home is my bowling coach. Now I get fewer messages from the coach. They come from home first.”

From cycle rides to cricket glory

Arshdeep’s story is one of simple beginnings leading to big dreams. Since his T20I debut in 2022, the left-arm quick has become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with 101 wickets in 65 matches at an economy of 8.37.

He is the only Indian bowler to cross the 100-wicket mark in T20Is and the fourth fastest in the world to get there behind Rashid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Wanindu Hasaranga.

For someone who once raced buses on his bicycle, he has come a long way. Today, Arshdeep is part of both India’s ODI and T20I squads where he plays a critical role both with the new ball and at the death.