Team India pace bowler Arshdeep Singh recalled instances of disagreeing with teammate and veteran pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s advice during the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA a swell. However, the left-arm speedster also revealed how Bumrah’s suggestions would almost always become fruitful.
The duo combined claimed 32 wickets in India’s eight games during the tournament, finishing first (Arshdeep) and third (Bumrah) on the
wicket-taking charts as well. They helped India remain unbeaten while winning the World Cup.
In an interview with Sportstar, Arshdeep recalled, “During the match against Afghanistan, the ball was reversing a lot, so he suggested a few field placements accordingly. But I thought otherwise and suggested a different field setting. He told me calmly, ‘You should have faith in me and send the fielder to where I am suggesting.’ I listened to him and bowled in the right areas. As luck would have it, we got an edge and the ball went straight to the fielder, and then, Jassi bhai walked up to me with a smile and said, ‘See, you should have faith in me,” Arshdeep said.
“He keeps telling me those things throughout the match and our discussions often get animated because I am a young blood, so at times, I do disagree with him. But later, I realised that the suggestions given by Jassi bhai would have indeed worked had I listened to him. And, I learn from my mistakes and try to get better,” he again shared.
However, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh saved their best for the finale against South Africa, combining for outstanding figures of 4/38 in eight overs as well. While the former was the Player of the Tournament, the latter finished as the highest wicket-taker as well. Arshdeep Singh also expressed his wish to play in all three formats for India as well.
“I want to play all three formats, and whenever I have spoken to Jassi bhai, he has told me, ‘You have to play all three formats. Playing white ball is good, but when you play red ball, you can create a legacy’. He has always motivated me to focus on red-ball cricket as well,” concluded Arshdeep Singh.
