Legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram has rated Arshdeep Singh eight out of 10. He has urged the talented Indian youngster to concentrate on Test cricket alongside the white-ball formats. With 17 wickets, Arshdeep was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2024
T20 World Cup alongside Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi. The youngster has played for India in 58 white-ball games but he is yet to make his
Test debut as well.
While speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda on the show ‘SK Match Ki Baat’, Akram said, “Very impressive, very talented. He should be focusing on four-day cricket too because he has swing and pace. He swings the ball both ways and the new ball comes in decently. I think he has got the potential to be a regular bowler for India. I hope he has Test cricket on his mind because you will make money in T20s and you will make your name for one year in T20s. However, if you have to leave a legacy, you have to think about long-format cricket. People should be talking about you even 10-20 years after your retirement that no such bowler came in cricket history. These young bowlers should have that kind of mindset. No doubt, he has got the potential. I would give him eight.”
However, Arshdeep Singh has picked up 79 wickets in 52 T20Is and 10 scalps in six ODIs as well. He has scalped 49 dismissals in 16 first-class games and will hope to make his Test debut soon as well. While he rated Mitchell Starc 9.75, Wasim Akram rated Trent Boult full marks. However, Boult retired from international cricket after New Zealand’s exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup before the Super Eights as well.
“It’s because of practice and he disguises them very well. He doesn’t split his fingers before bowling the ball and his action doesn’t change. That’s why he is consistent. He too has injury problems. He doesn’t like playing Test cricket,” he replied (1:10).”Since we are talking about the T20 format, he is quite good, especially with his cutters, and he has now learned a new ball, inswing, as well. The new ball comes in slightly, it used to go across only earlier. He had become a little predictable. (I would give him) seven,” Akram further added.
“I rate him (Boult) decently. He has taken a lot of wickets in Test cricket. He has played for long and is a sensible bowler. He still wants to learn. That shows he is not satisfied with himself as a bowler,” he said.”He has retired and is playing leagues everywhere. He gives you wickets. If a top left-arm bowler has come after Starc in the last 10 years, I would take Trent Boult’s name. I would give him 10,” he concluded.
