As India prepares for their much-anticipated five-match Test series against England starting June 20, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh finds himself in familiar surroundings—Kent. Recalled to what he fondly refers to as his “second home,” Arshdeep is relishing the moment ahead of what could be a defining chapter in his red-ball career. This is his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad, and expectations are quietly building around the possibility of his debut in the series.
Arshdeep’s stint with Kent in the County Championship last year played a crucial role in sharpening his red-ball credentials. Now, back in those same conditions, the 25-year-old is drawing comfort from the serenity of the place as he ramps up his preparations. In a video shared by the BCCI, Arshdeep reflected warmly on his Kent experience and what it means to be back.
“It feels really good to be here. The moment I arrived, there was this ‘homely’ feeling. I’ve spent two months here before, so there’s familiarity. It’s a peaceful town—not a lot of hustle. Perfect for some mental clarity. A hot chocolate in this breeze with some churros? That’s bliss,” he said, flashing a smile.
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Turning his attention to cricket, Arshdeep Singh emphasised the importance of getting back into rhythm with the red ball after spending considerable time in white-ball cricket.
“My focus in the training session was to reconnect with red-ball rhythm—how it comes out of the hand, how the body responds. We’ve all been playing white-ball cricket for months, so it’s essential to recalibrate. I really enjoyed the session.”
Arshdeep Singh revealed that despite the initial light tone of the session, intensity picked up quickly once the competitive juices began to flow.
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“We were just working on rhythm, but the batters were competing hard. That made it enjoyable. We had to set up proper plans to get them out. Sai (Sudharsan) looked very compact in his first outing with the team, and the skipper (Shubman Gill) is in fine touch. My goal is simple—keep improving and keep challenging these guys.”
Speaking about the bowling unit, Arshdeep also touched upon the privilege of sharing space with India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. He was quick to shut down any ideas of competition within the squad.
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“Honestly, when you have someone like Jasprit Bumrah in your attack, the idea of ‘comparison’ just vanishes. Whenever I have the ball in hand, I always back myself, but the larger picture is how we can help each other grow and support the team.”
With a calm demeanor off the field and growing confidence on it, Arshdeep Singh is embracing his opportunity with both hands. Whether or not his debut comes this series, one thing is clear: he’s ready for the challenge.
