TOI Exclusive: Arshdeep Singh Touted as Perfect Fit for English Test Conditions
In a thrilling IPL 2025 season, Punjab Kings’ left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has not only dominated the wicket-taking charts but also sparked intense discussions about his potential inclusion in India’s Test squad for the upcoming five-match series in England. With an impressive tally of 16 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 21.93, Arshdeep has been the backbone of PBKS’s bowling attack, propelling the team into the IPL playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
James Hopes, the Punjab Kings bowling coach and former Australian all-rounder, is a firm believer in Arshdeep’s ability to shine in Test cricket, particularly in the seamer-friendly conditions of England. Speaking exclusively to TOI in Mumbai on Wednesday, Hopes stated, ‘Arshdeep is perfectly suited for English conditions. His ability to swing the ball both ways, execute reverse swing when needed, and angle the ball away from right-handers as a left-armer makes him a potent threat. He could be a game-changer on that tour next month.’
Arshdeep, at just 24 years old, has already carved a niche for himself in white-ball cricket, boasting 99 wickets in 63 T20Is and 14 wickets in 9 ODIs. Hopes praised the young pacer’s hunger for growth, noting, ‘He’s highly skilled and incredibly coachable. Unlike many talented players who settle into a comfort zone, Arshdeep is always experimenting. He’s constantly asking questions like, “What if I grip the ball differently?” That curiosity sets him apart.’
In IPL 2025, Arshdeep has unveiled new tricks, with Hopes pointing out subtle changes in his swing bowling that have caught opponents off guard. ‘The way he’s swinging the ball this year—it’s different. Batters are still figuring him out. He’s so young, with so much cricket ahead of him. By the end of his career, we might be talking about Arshdeep as one of the most dominant bowlers in the game,’ Hopes predicted.
Beyond Arshdeep, Hopes also advocated for PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer to make a return to India’s Test fold for the England tour. ‘Shreyas is ready to reclaim his spot in the Test arena. He’s worked tirelessly on his game over the past year. His exceptional hand skills are a real asset in English conditions, where adaptability is key,’ Hopes remarked. Under Iyer’s leadership, PBKS has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround this season, with Hopes crediting the captain’s tactical brilliance and world-class batting in shorter formats. ‘Everything Shreyas touches turns to gold as a captain. He’s tactically astute and a phenomenal short-form batter,’ he added.
As India gears up for the high-stakes Test series in England, scheduled to begin next month, the calls for Arshdeep Singh and Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion grow louder. With Arshdeep’s mastery over swing—evident in his IPL 2025 performances, where he dismissed key batters with late movement—and Iyer’s proven leadership and batting prowess, the duo could be the x-factors in India’s quest for glory on foreign soil. Will the selectors take note of Hopes’ ringing endorsement? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Arshdeep Singh is knocking hard on the Test team’s door.