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Former India opener and cricket pundit Aakash Chopra has thrown open a thought-provoking debate by comparing two of India’s premier fast bowlers in T20I cricket – Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted Arshdeep’s impressive numbers and even noted that the left-arm seamer has taken more T20I wickets than Bumrah, despite playing fewer matches.
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Arshdeep Singh’s Rapid Rise
Arshdeep Singh continues to break records and cement his place as a key player for India in T20Is. In the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens, the left-arm pacer delivered a match-winning spell, picking up 2 wickets for just 17 runs in 4 overs. With his dismissal of Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, Arshdeep became India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 97 scalps, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal’s 96 wickets.
- Arshdeep’s T20I stats:
- Matches: 61
- Wickets: 97
- Average: 17.90
- Economy: 8.24
Chopra hailed Arshdeep’s consistency, noting that he achieved this milestone in just 2.5 years, having made his debut in June 2022.
The Bumrah-Arshdeep Comparison
Aakash Chopra didn’t shy away from comparing Arshdeep’s achievements to Jasprit Bumrah, India’s spearhead in all formats. While praising Bumrah’s exceptional economy rate of 6.28, Chopra pointed out that Arshdeep’s wicket tally surpasses Bumrah’s, even though the latter has played more matches.
“Arshdeep has 97 wickets already. Jasprit Bumrah has played more matches than him and still has fewer wickets. I’m not comparing their quality, but these numbers highlight Arshdeep’s incredible impact in such a short span,” said Chopra.
Bumrah’s T20I stats:
- Matches: 70
- Wickets: 89
- Economy: 6.28
Key Performers in T20 World Cup 2024
Both Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah were instrumental in India’s victorious T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, showcasing their value on the global stage:
- Arshdeep Singh: 17 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 12.64
- Jasprit Bumrah: 15 wickets at an average of 8.26
Their collective efforts with the ball were pivotal in India’s title-winning run.
The Value of a Left-Arm Pacer
Chopra further emphasized the uniqueness of Arshdeep Singh as a left-arm pacer, a rare and valuable asset in any cricket team.
“You don’t find quality left-arm pacers easily. Arshdeep swings the ball both ways, and his ability to outfox batters with precision was evident against England. His outswinger to dismiss Phil Salt was a gem,” said Chopra.
Against England, Arshdeep utilized the slightly helpful conditions at Eden Gardens to perfection, dismissing both openers cheaply and finishing with impressive figures of 2-17 in 4 overs.
India’s Dominant Win in 1st T20I
India’s thumping 7-wicket victory over England was a complete team effort.
- Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy laid the foundation with the ball, the latter claiming 3-17 in a dream comeback.
- Abhishek Sharma dazzled with the bat, smashing 79 off 34 balls to lead India to an easy chase.
India now leads the series 1-0 with four matches remaining.
Conclusion
While it may be premature to say Arshdeep Singh is “better” than Jasprit Bumrah, his rapid rise and consistent performances make him one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket. With his lethal swing and ability to deliver under pressure, Arshdeep is carving a niche for himself in the shortest format.
As Aakash Chopra’s comparison fuels debate among fans, one thing is certain: India is fortunate to have two world-class pacers in Arshdeep and Bumrah, each bringing something unique to the table.
