‘All-rounders are highly valued’: Arshdeep Singh calls himself a ‘pinch hitter’; shares the pain of test snobbery | Cricket News

Behind his smile, left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh hid his disappointment at not getting regular opportunities to play for India.The 26-year-old warmed the bench during the Champions Trophy, then the five-match Test series in England and, most recently, the Asia Cup, which was played in the T20I format. Despite being India’s leading wicket-taker and winning the ICC T20I Player of the Year award, he has won only two matches. The reason for his omission is the team combination, as the current management is looking for an extra batting cushion, which means he does not get regular opportunities.

“All-rounders are very valuable these days. (All-rounders are very popular these days),” Arshdeep said on Breakfast with Champions.“I am a pinch hitter, I am the one who bowls only if my captain is my son. —I’m a pinch hitter; I hit some big shots. If my captain listens…”Arshdeep also explained the importance of playing Test cricket.“Test cricket gives you respect on a different level (Test cricket earns you respect on a different level),” he said.“Like people remember my friend played 50 T20Is, but if you play Test cricket people remember in 1992 I played a 4 overs spell, it was very brilliant, I didn’t even get a wicket. (You remember a long time later, ‘Yeah, he played 50 T20Is’, but when you play Test cricket, people remember that in 1992 he played a spell of 4 overs, it was great, even though he didn’t take a wicket).”

“Also focus on red ball, now everyone wants glory, money will come, IPL will be played, those who are crazy about red ball will become less hot. Play T20, play one day, but the magic of the red ball is there… It’s the batsman’s magic that doesn’t take away the pain after bowling 20 overs. You look at me in the hot shower, oh my neck is also tight, lower hamstrings are also tight, its magic is different. (Focus should also be on red ball cricket. Nowadays everyone wants glory, money, IPL. The craze for red-ball cricket is fading. Play T20s or one-dayers, but the joy of red-ball cricket… after bowling 20 overs, feeling where all the pain is coming from, finding out that, is a different kind of pleasure. Taking a hot shower after a day of gaming, when you realize that your neck and hamstrings are tight, that feeling is unique).“About playing in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Arshdeep said: “I have just experienced it; I have played Test cricket. Watching from the outside is different, but playing it shows how much effort it takes and how much mental strength is required.”