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India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has opened up on how bowlers can remain effective on flat, batting-friendly surfaces after India’s emphatic 48-run victory over New Zealand in the opening T20I at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur.
The win handed India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and showcased Arshdeep’s growing importance with the new ball in high-scoring contests.
Early breakthrough sets the tone for India in the T20I series opener against New Zealand
Defending a massive total of 238, India needed early wickets, and Arshdeep delivered straightaway. He removed Devon Conway in the very first over, instantly denting New Zealand’s chase. The dismissal was significant not just in the context of the match, but also statistically.
With that wicket, Arshdeep broke a long-standing record to become the bowler with the most wickets while opening the bowling in T20Is. He now has 28 wickets in the first two overs of an innings across 67 matches, surpassing Shaheen Afridi and Junaid Siddique.
Arshdeep Singh’s habit of striking in the first over
The left-armer has developed a reputation for delivering early breakthroughs. Against New Zealand, it marked the 12th time Arshdeep has taken a wicket in the first over of a T20I innings. While he currently sits tenth on the all-time list for first-over wickets, his strike rate in this phase highlights his effectiveness in powerplay conditions.
On a night when batters dominated and a staggering 428 runs were scored across 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 succeeding on flat pitches
Speaking after the match, Arshdeep offered a candid and humorous take on bowling on flat surfaces, where modern T20 batters continue to push scoring boundaries.
“The first thing I do is take God’s name,” he joked. “The wicket is looking flat… please save me.” Beyond the humour, Arshdeep stressed that preparation is the real key to success. According to him, all tactical work is done during practice sessions and team meetings, leaving bowlers to focus solely on execution once match day arrives.
“All the planning is done in meetings and during practice. When you come on game day, your target 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 can have unexpected benefits, helping players return sharper and more focused.
“There are a lot of benefits to being in and out of the side,” he said with a smile. “Just like I’m in and out of the team, the ball is also swinging in and out really well.”
The comment reflected his relaxed mindset, which has become a hallmark of his performances under pressure.
