Arshdeep Singh is undoubtedly one of the finds for India lately, growing the bowling resources and providing that much-needed variety with his left-arm pace and swing. The same was on show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy preliminary quarter-final on Saturday, where Punjab took on Maharashtra at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
After Punjab won the toss and elected to field, Arshdeep found his line, length and swing right away — troubling opener Ruturaj Gaikwad from ball one and eventually dismissing the skipper off the last ball of the opening over in Maharashtra’s innings.
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Cleaning up Gaikwad (5) with a dream delivery that pitched and left the right-handed Gaikwad at the last moment to hit the off-stump, Arshdeep was virtually unplayable in his opening spell. By the time this report was published, Arshdeep had taken 2 for 33 in six overs.
In his next over, Arshdeep sent back SA Veer caught behind for a five-ball duck. It left Maharashtra worried at 8 for 2 in the third over.
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However, Arshdeep didn’t get much support from the other end, as Maharashtra recovered with a 145-run partnership for the third wicket between opener Arshin Kulkarni and Ankit Bawane. The big stand was broken by Naman Dhir who clean-bowled AR Bawane for 60.
Kulkarni, meanwhile, went on to complete his century and was batting on 101*, with Maharashtra reaching a solid 195 for 4 in 41.2 overs.
With BCCI selectors set to name India’s white-ball squads for the home series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy, Arshdeep, who was the highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup last year, looks in prime form to once again shine in India colours.
