Struggling in T20Is, Arshdeep proves his worth in ODIs

Arshdeep Singh’s stocks are falling down in T20Is, but the left-arm seamer might have found a new love in the form of the 50-over format after his breathtaking spell with the new ball in the first One-Day International against South Africa in Johannesburg on Sunday (December 17).

There was enough help on offer at the New Wanderers Stadium, and the Proteas batters had no idea what hit them after Aiden Markram decided to bat first. The ball was always going to move around in the powerplay, but South Africa would have hoped to see off the new ball and then cash in later. However, Arshdeep killed the game in the very first 10 overs.

The 24-year-old claimed 4/19 in the powerplay and became the fourth Indian bowler to take four or more wickets in the first 10 overs. Mohammed Siraj has done it twice, with Jasprit Bumrah and Javagal Srinath being the other two. Arshdeep then returned to complete his maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket, finishing with overall figures of 5/37.

Arshdeep dismissed Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen and had South Africa reeling at 52/4 by the end of 10 overs. The left-armer moved the ball both ways and made everyone look clueless.

Arshdeep had South Africa on the back foot in his very first over, dismissing Hendricks and van der Dussen off successive deliveries. While Hendricks dragged a slowish full-length delivery back onto the stumps, van der Dussen was undone by a superb nip-backer. The latter went for the flick but missed the ball completely.

Tony de Zorzi (22-ball 28) was the only Proteas batter who looked good in the middle and played some aggressive shots, especially off full-length deliveries. Arshdeep noticed that and decided to bowl short to the left-handed opener. Zorzi did smash one six but later top-edged one in the same over to give KL Rahul a simple catch behind the stumps.

The hosts were in dire need of a partnership, and the onus was on Klaasen to bail them out, but Arshdeep had none of that. He got another one to come back in from the length and breached the wicketkeeper-batter’s defence to send the leg-stump bail flying.

There was a five-wicket haul on offer, and Arshdeep finished the job in his final over, pinning Andile Phehlukwayo right in front of the stumps. He became the first Indian left-arm pacer to claim a five-for in ODIs in 12 years, following Irfan Pathan's footsteps. The Proteas were eventually bowled out for just 116 in 27.3 overs - their lowest all-out total in home ODIs.

"Was trying to keep it simple. Hadn't opened my account in ODIs. Great to start with a fifer. The wicket was helpful. When we had a chat, we thought there won't be much movement, but we were surprised. There was a breeze too so the plan was to keep it wicket to wicket and look for lbw/bowled. Proud to represent the country and do the job," said Arshdeep.

This performance would come as a huge relief for Arshdeep, who has been struggling lately in T20Is. He has claimed 26 wickets in 21 T20Is in 2023 but has gone about his business at an economy of 9.3. Even in the recently concluded T20I series in South Africa, the left-armer conceded runs at an economy of 11 and managed one wicket in two innings. 

Considering the 2024 T20 World Cup is not too far away, his form in the shorter format would be a huge concern for the Indian management. However, this performance will give him and the management some confidence. 

Arshdeep has been a regular in T20Is but had played only three ODIs before this one, with all of them coming in New Zealand in November 2022. 

Moreover, he didn’t pick a single wicket in that series and leaked runs at an economy of 6.8 in 13.1 overs across two innings. One of those three games was washed out completely.

There won’t be too much focus on ODIs, considering the World Cup just ended, and the next 50-over ICC event - the Champions Trophy in Pakistan - is in 2025. The pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj and Mohammed Shami wreaked havoc in the 2023 World Cup. 

But again, it’s highly doubtful that Shami, who is already 33, would be available for the 2025 event, and this gives Arshdeep an opportunity to cement his place in the ODI set-up. Not just that, if he could carry forward this form in the remaining two ODIs, the selectors wouldn't have a choice but to hand him more opportunities in the shortest format. 

On-song, Arshdeep can cause the right riot, and South African batters were victims of that.