left arm fast bowler of india Arshdeep Singh An open discussion on how bowlers can be effective on flat, batting-friendly surfaces India’s emphatic win over New Zealand by 48 runs In the opening T20I at VCA Stadium, Nagpur.
The win gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and demonstrated Arshdeep’s growing importance with the new ball in high-scoring contests.
Early success has set the tone for India in the first match of the T20 series against New Zealand
Defending a mammoth score of 238, India needed early wickets and Arshdeep bowled quickly. He made New Zealand’s chase difficult by dismissing Devon Conway in the very first over. This dismissal was significant not only in the context of the match but also statistically.
With that wicket, Arshdeep broke an old record of becoming the bowler taking the most wickets while opening the bowling in T20Is. So far, he has left 28 wickets behind in the first two overs of an innings of 67 matches. Shaheen Afridi And Junaid Siddiqui.
Arshdeep Singh’s habit of striking in the first over
The left-handed batsman has developed a reputation for delivering early successes. Against New Zealand, this is the 12th time that Arshdeep has taken a wicket in the first over of a T20 innings. While he is currently tenth in the all-time list of first over wickets, his strike rate at this stage highlights his effectiveness in powerplay situations.
On a night when the batsmen dominated and 428 runs were scored in both innings, Arshdeep’s figures of 1 for 31 in four overs stood out as a disciplined effort amid the carnage.
Arshdeep’s philosophy of being successful on flat pitches
Speaking after the match, Arshdeep offered a frank and humorous perspective on bowling on flat surfaces, where modern T20 batsmen continue to exceed scoring limits.
“The first thing I do is take the name of God,” He joked. “The wicket looks flat… please save me.” Beyond humour, Arshdeep emphasized that preparation is the real key to success. According to him, all the tactical work is done during practice sessions and team meetings, leaving the bowlers to focus only on execution when the match day comes.
“All the plans are made in meetings and during practice. When you come to game day, your goal is to execute those plans,” he explained.
Arshdeep also addressed the importance of mental freshness, even when players move in and out of the playing XI. He believes rotation could have unexpected benefits, helping players become sharper and more focused.
“There are a lot of benefits to living in and out of the city,” He said smiling. “Just like I keep swinging in and out of the team, the ball is also swinging in and out very well.”
This comment reflects his calm mindset, which has become a hallmark of his performance under pressure.
