- Morne Morkel hints at Test debut for Arshdeep Singh during New Zealand tour. India’s bowling coach has hinted that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will be considered for red-ball cricket during the New Zealand tour.
- Morne Morkel hints at Test debut for Arshdeep Singh on New Zealand tour (Photo by Steve Bardens/) Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel has hinted that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will be considered for red-ball cricket on the upcoming New Zealand tour.
- The team’s planning includes a group of bowlers who could serve as replacements for the two Tests scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch.
Morne Morkel hints at Test debut for Arshdeep Singh during New Zealand tour. India’s bowling coach has hinted that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will be considered for red-ball cricket during the New Zealand tour.
Morne Morkel hints at Test debut for Arshdeep Singh on New Zealand tour (Photo by Steve Bardens/) Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel has hinted that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will be considered for red-ball cricket on the upcoming New Zealand tour. The team’s planning includes a group of bowlers who could serve as replacements for the two Tests scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch. Arshdeep, who has established himself as one of the key players in T20Is, remains without a Test debut despite his domestic red-ball credentials.
Arshdeep completed his 100th T20 International in India’s second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch where he took two wickets. The 25-year-old left-arm medium-pace bowler is just two wickets away from becoming the first Indian bowler to reach 150 T20I wickets. His T20I career has made him a specialist in the shortest format but he is yet to represent India in Test cricket.
“We are planning, you know, a group of bowlers that we might want to retain to cover (for Tests) because of the schedule. I also think that later on, when we better understand the conditions at this time of year, we will have a clear picture of the composition of our bowling unit. “Morkel was quoted by NDTV Sports. Arshdeep in talks for Test cricket In the 50-over format, Arshdeep has taken 30 wickets in 18 ODIs, including a five-wicket haul.
His performances in limited overs cricket proved his ability to perform at the international level. However, despite his domestic red-ball record, his Test chance remained elusive. In 24 domestic red-ball games, Arshdeep took 73 wickets at an average of 30.71.
His domestic performances include four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls, with his best figures being 6 for 40. These statistics highlight his ability to play longer format cricket at the national level. Morkel admitted that Arshdeep has ticked all the boxes for Test cricket and remains firmly in the conversation for red-ball opportunities.
The bowling coach stressed that the pacer’s work ethic and national credentials make him a viable player if needed during the tour. “So at the moment, in the back of our minds, there is a nice group of bowlers who can adt to any conditions and Arshdeep is definitely in that conversation. And yeah, I mean, in that regard, he’s a guy who always works hard.
He ticks all the boxes. So if it’s necessary with the red ball, I’m pretty sure everything will be fine,” said Morkel. Contingency plans and team rotation strategy The Indian team’s planning for the tour involves careful rotation between the T20I, ODI and Test formats.
Morkel revealed that India A players are also being prepared for red-ball cricket and the team has developed an overall strategy to manage the workload in all three formats. “I’m pretty sure you know there are a few people in India A who are preparing for red-ball cricket. In the 50 overs we will also rotate and give the boys the playing time they need, we felt that in the Test matches.
So I think we have – I knock on wood – a foolproof plan right now as to how we implemented everything,” Morkel said. Morkel acknowledged that unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the planned proach. He stressed that substitution combinations and rotation strategies are in place to ensure all players are ready when needed.
“But you know, unfortunately things don’t always go as planned. So the backup that we have and the combinations that we have are all there and ready in terms of rotation and we are making sure that as we prepare for the first Test and for the 50 overs, everyone is ready. That includes (Jasprit) Bumrah,” Morkel said.
Arshdeep was part of the T20I and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour. The five T20Is and five ODIs began on November 4, while the Test series began on November 19. Among the pace bowlers in the T20I squad, Arshdeep also remained the only one in the ODI squad, highlighting his role in multiple formats during the tour.
