Arshdeep Singh: Looking forward to achieving great results with Punjab Kings

The bowler joined Khel Now for an exclusive chat ahead of the 2023 IPL season.

Indian national cricket team and Punjab Kings left-pacer Arshdeep Singh has made a telling impact with his crafty bowling. The 24-year-old from Punjab was a part of the victorious Indian U-19 team which lifted the World Cup in 2018. On the back of some consistent performances in the domestic circuit, Arshdeep impressed in a trial with Punjab Kings and got his opportunity to debut in the 2019 Indian Premier League season.

He was the Kings' highest wicket-taker in the 2021 IPL and was retained ahead of the mega-auctions. Arshdeep Singh made his India debut in T20s and ODIs during the 2022 limited-overs tours to England and New Zealand respectively. He was India's leading wicket-taker in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Arshdeep joined Khel Now for an exclusive interaction during a Parimatch sports event. Edited excerpts are as follows.

The thought process behind signing for Kent

Arshdeep Singh signed a deal with English County cricket club Kent to play five county championship games in June and July. A good exponent of swing bowling, Arshdeep said on the tought process, "It’s mainly because the last couple of years I’ve been playing a lot of white-ball cricket and have played a few first-class games, 7 to be precise, and just to get more exposure.

"I’ll get to know my game better in an environment I’m not very used to. To be adaptable there and to know what my wicket-taking balls are, how to set the batsman up, and improve my skills there."

Playing under Shikhar Dhawan’s captaincy?

Punjab Kings have named Shikhar Dhawan as the captain for the 2023 IPL season. Arshdeep is excited to play under 'Shikhar Paaji's captaincy and said, "Really excited to play under Shikhar Paaji. It’s always super fun to play under a guy that enjoys the game like us Punjabis. A lot of fun is to be expected in a coming couple of months. Looking forward to achieving great results with the team."

Watch: Arshdeep Singh's exclusive interview here:

Reflections on 2022 and thoughts on the current Punjab Kings squad

Despite having an impressive squad on paper, Punjab Kings under-delivered in 2022 and missed out on the playoff places. Arshdeep said on the post-auction improvements, "The squad looks really solid. All the bases are covered nicely. Looking forward to playing for the team, forming strategies, and executing them."

Personal goals for 2023

Arshdeep listed his personal goals for his clubs and country as being, "My personal goals are to improve myself, bring out a better version of myself at the end of this year. Whatever this team expects and demands of me, I want to deliver that and win, with the county or domestic or international level, or the IPL. Be it by defending runs, be it by taking wickets, I just want to make the team win."

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