I will continue to back my strengths in ODIs and try to stop runs for team, says Arshdeep Singh

India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh said that he wants to back his strengths in ODI cricket and try to stop runs for India after making his debut in the 50-over format. The 23-year-old played his maiden ODI match for India in the series opener against New Zealand, which India lost by seven wickets. Apart from this, Arshdeep had taken out openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway too. He also showed his ability to bowl the knuckle-ball too. He credited senior pacers in the Indian team for helping him with adding more variety to his bowling skills.

Arshdeep remained wicketless and was hammered for 68 runs in 8.1 overs. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Tom Latham wreaked havoc on India bowlers with their unbeaten 221-run stand. Reflecting on his ODI debut, Arshdeep said: “Very grateful for my debut. It is the dream of every youngster to one day represent the country when they first start playing. I felt great making my debut. Now the goal is to keep doing well and get the team wins.”

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Arshdeep Singh remained wicketless in his maiden ODI

“In the beginning, if the ball does swing so I try to get people out lbw or bowled, but if the ball doesn’t swing, then the plan is to bowl economically and stop runs.” When asked how has been the transition from T20I to ODI cricket for him, Arshdeep. “Not many differences between bowling four overs in a T20I and an ODI, I will continue to back my strengths and try to stop runs for the team. “It’s all from the guidance from the experienced players in the team. I constantly try to learn from them. Tried to learn hard-length deliveries from you (Siraj). I am learning knuckleball from Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) bhai.”

“The side that is longer, we try to bowl in that direction. Not necessary to always look at the ground dimensions. If a particular batter does not score straight then we try to bowl straight to him.” India posted 306/7 after fifties from Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer in the first ODI. In reply, Kane Williamson (94*) and Tom Latham (145*) put up a show to take their side home with 17 balls remaining. “Earlier I learned how to use yorkers from (Mohammed) Shami bhai. I try to improve myself and hope to step-up and perform well when the team requires you to stop runs or get a wicket,” said Arshdeep in a chat with Mohammed Siraj in a video posted on BCCI.TV.