Arshdeep explains how India planned to dismiss Shai Hope early

Indore: India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh said he felt really good about the successful execution of the tactics to dismiss West Indies captain Shai Hope early in the third T20I, adding that removing a quality batter of his calibre required meticulous preparation and inputs from the coaching staff.

At the Holkar Stadium on Sunday night, Arshdeep made an early breakthrough by bowling the in-form Shai Hope in the second over. Hope went for a wild slog but was bowled. The contest remained alive as long as the dangerous Sherfane Rutherford was at the crease.

However, Arshdeep bowled Rutherford and also dismissed Keemo Paul to ensure India won the match by 14 runs and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

“Before the match, we had planned how to keep things tight to him, and when you execute that plan in the match, it feels good when you get the result. I am grateful to the coaches for working through the plan. They told me that I could use it in the match, and that plan was executed,” Arshdeep said in a video posted on bcci.tv on Monday.

He also credited the entire bowling attack for applying sustained pressure while defending a total of 223.

“I bowled very well. Mayank kept the pressure from the other end, and all six bowlers chipped in and bowled very well. It feels good when you come under a little pressure while executing plans. So, it’s good fun.”

Arshdeep, who also hit a useful boundary with the bat, offered a light-hearted apology to teammate Axar Patel after a mid-pitch mix-up led to the left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder’s run-out.

“I would like to apologise to Axar bhai. Sorry, Axar bhai. I got you run out.”

Speaking about his motivation to contribute with the bat, Arshdeep said, “I keep trying in batting. The results are rare. But today, it just connected well. As much as the coaches trust us, we have to do it in batting as well and get a few runs down the order. So, it is important to work like this in batting.”

Arshdeep also attributed his steady evolution at the international level to the welcoming atmosphere within the Indian team and his desire to improve his skill set.

“In the dressing room, the environment is very chill. There is no one who behaves as if they have played more or fewer matches. The atmosphere is very chill.”

“I keep trying to learn something and develop a different skill set. There is always that willingness to learn and improve my game, and I feel that if there is a hunger to learn, I will keep improving my game. I keep trying to do that,” he concluded.