Suresh Raina’s Statement on Arshdeep Singh and India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series: A Missed Opportunity for the Rising Star
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025 series unfolds between India and Australia, one player continues to stir conversation despite not being selected in the squad: Arshdeep Singh. The young left-arm pacer has earned praise from several cricketing personalities, and former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina is no exception. Raina, who has witnessed the evolution of Indian cricket closely, has been particularly vocal about Arshdeep’s potential to shine in Test cricket. He feels that Arshdeep, despite his absence from the ongoing series, should have been included in India’s squad for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Arshdeep Singh: A Rising Star with Test Cricket Potential
During a ‘Champions’ session at Agenda AajTak, Suresh Raina made his opinion on Arshdeep Singh’s omission clear. He firmly stated that the young bowler had all the qualities required to make an impact in Test cricket. “He should have gone to Australia,” Raina said, reflecting on the missed opportunity for the pacer. This statement comes amid widespread discussions on whether Arshdeep Singh, with his impressive performances in shorter formats, should have been included in the squad for the 2024-2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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Arshdeep Singh’s omission raised eyebrows, especially when compared to the inclusion of players like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made their Test debuts in the series. While both have shown promise, Raina emphasized that Arshdeep had the potential to emulate the success of legendary Indian fast bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, and RP Singh. He highlighted Arshdeep’s stature as a fast bowler from North India, noting that he stood out due to his height (six-foot-four) and ability to swing the ball both ways—qualities that could prove to be invaluable in Test cricket.
Raina went on to explain the technical aspects of Arshdeep’s bowling. “He has a unique angle to flourish with the red ball,” Raina said. “There was Zaheer Khan, then Ashish Nehra, RP Singh, Wasim Akram. Arshdeep has a wrist position and action that will suit Test match cricket.” In addition to his ability to swing the ball, Raina pointed out Arshdeep’s hunger for wickets, emphasizing that the young pacer gives his all every time he bowls.
The Need for Arshdeep Singh in Test Cricket
Raina believes that Arshdeep could have made an immediate impact in Australia, a country known for its challenging pitches and conditions. His skills with the new ball, as well as his ability to generate reverse swing with the old ball, would have made him an asset in the Test series against the Australians. Even though Arshdeep was not selected for the current series, Raina remains hopeful that the pacer will have his chance in future tours, especially when India travels to England for their next series.
“There are big series coming up,” Raina pointed out. “India is going to England, and he will be useful in getting those breakthroughs with the new ball and the old ball. He has it in him.” Raina’s words reflect his firm belief that Arshdeep Singh, with his natural abilities and temperament, can thrive in the longest format of the game.
Arshdeep’s Desire to Play All Three Formats
While the omission from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad might have been disappointing for Arshdeep, the bowler has not let that dampen his ambitions. Having made a significant impact in T20 cricket, where he played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, Arshdeep has set his sights on playing in all three formats of the game. In a short span of just 60 matches, he has already claimed 95 wickets, becoming India’s most successful fast bowler in T20I history. Notably, his performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets, further solidified his reputation as a rising star in world cricket.
During the conversation with Raina, Arshdeep reflected on his ambitions to play Test cricket. He shared a memorable interaction with Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian Test vice-captain, who inquired about Arshdeep’s aspirations in international cricket. Arshdeep expressed his desire to play across all formats, not just T20Is and ODIs. “I was speaking about this to Jasprit Bumrah once,” Arshdeep said. “He asked me, ‘What is your mindset? Do you want to play all three formats?’ I said, ‘Yes, I am very keen on playing all three formats and I want to win more and more matches for India.’”
This candid admission reveals not only Arshdeep’s ambitions but also his deep respect for the game’s longest format. The red ball has always been close to his heart, and he relishes the challenge of making it swing both ways, especially when the ball starts to age. “As a player, we all start with red balls. At the age-group level, we play only with the red ball. The first thing you hold is a red ball. It’s fun bowling with the red ball because it swings at the start. And when you maintain it well, you can swing it when it’s old also. It is a different joy,” Arshdeep explained.
A Future Filled with Possibilities
Despite the setback of not being selected for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Arshdeep Singh’s future in Indian cricket remains promising. His performances in T20 and ODI formats have earned him a place in India’s core fast-bowling contingent. The IPL, where he was retained by Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore in the 2025 mega auction, further underscores his growing reputation.
Arshdeep’s remarkable consistency, ability to handle pressure, and skill with the ball have made him a key player in India’s plans moving forward. His dedication to improving and expanding his game suggests that he will not only feature in future series across formats but will also play a pivotal role in shaping India’s fast bowling attack in the years to come.
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As for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the series is currently level at 1-1 after the first two Tests, with the third Test being affected by weather conditions, as heavy rains forced the cancellation of the first day’s play with only 13.2 overs bowled. Amidst the fluctuating fortunes of the series, Arshdeep Singh’s absence from the squad stands as a poignant reminder of the depth of talent that India possesses but can only make use of if given the right opportunities.
While it remains to be seen when Arshdeep will make his Test debut, there is little doubt that his potential to succeed in the longest format is immense. As Suresh Raina aptly put it, Arshdeep Singh “has it in him,” and Indian cricket fans will be waiting eagerly to see when this talented fast bowler gets his long-awaited chance to shine on the biggest stage.
