The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on May 22, announced the squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa, where Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik received maiden call-ups. Moreover, Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya were also added to the squad after impressing in the IPL.

“I got to know just before the match, in the bus that I have got selected for the Indian team. Because the match was going on I didn’t feel much. It will sink in slowly. It is a special moment. I feel lucky and grateful and would like to continue like this,” Arshdeep Singh was quoted by NDTV Sports.

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However, Arshdeep had toured Sri Lanka with the Indian side last year as a net bowler as well and he was the only player along with his captain Mayank Agarwal to be retained by his franchise prior to the IPL 2022 mega auction as well. He played with some of the finest players like Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, and Jonny Bairstow to name a few as well.

“Credit goes to management. They got such batters in the team that the only option to stop them in the nets was by bowling yorkers. And that improved my ability to bowl yorkers,” said Arshdeep Singh.

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Meanwhile, the Indian team will host South Africa for a five-match T20I series starting June 9. The team will see plenty of new faces as many of the senior members like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli have been rested for the series as well, while the youngsters who have done well in the IPL will get an opportunity as well