NEWS
Follow UsAll it took Arshdeep Singh was just one over to dismantle South Africa's batting order in the first T20I in Thiruvananthapuram. The young left-arm seamer claimed three wickets in the space of six deliveries to reduce South Africa to 8/4 by the end of two overs. The 23-year-old said India are trying to be as adaptable as possible ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.
"Adaptability is the big motive of our team. The main motive is adapting to the situations and demands of the team, whatever the situations and conditions are," said Arshdeep, who claimed 3/32 in the first T20I against South Africa on Wednesday (September 28).
"When we go there (Australia) we will see how the conditions are. I'm looking forward to doing well. We are trying to tick all the boxes in the practice sessions and trying to execute all our plans on the field. Today (Wednesday) was really a good example of showing a good power play bowling and we are looking forward to do amazing things in the coming days."
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He got good support from Deepak Chahar who also picked up two wickets with the new ball and killed the game inside first three overs. South Africa could only manage 106/8 in their 20 overs, which India chased it down in 16.4 overs with eight wickets to spare.
Arshdeep, who is a key arsenal in India's death bowling scheme of things for the ICC showpiece next month, didn't feature in the three-match T20I series against Australia as he was sent to the NCA for conditioning.
"The purpose of the last 10 days was to get refreshed and come back stronger and fitter that will help me in my bowling. I feel really refreshed and looking forward to doing good things on the field," he said.
Bowling with the new ball in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep got the wickets of Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw and David Miller to break the back of South Africa's batting order.
"Getting the wickets early on was always a great feeling. The plan was really simple, the ball was swinging. I had to pitch it in the right places and it worked well. It was about hitting the right areas and making sure the line was good," he said.
"We practice in every type of situation, our job is to adapt to the situations and do well for the team. Today (Wednesday) it was more about the new ball and we worked really well as a pair, a lot of credit goes to DC (Deepak Chahar) bhai as well."
Arshdeep's spot in the playing XI is still not certain but the left-armer is not too worried about his selection. Jasprit Bumrah is certainly going to start, with Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar and Arshdeep fighting for the remaining two spots.
"They told me you're 'in the plan' back end of the IPL, that I'm in the scene... I guess the main motive was to keep doing well whatever opportunities I get, that's my job and I don't think much about the selection part."
