The coaches and team management also continued to support him and he was also selected in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup.
TimesofIndia.com spoke to Arshdeep’s childhood coach who said Arshdeep was at no time bothered or affected by the trolling on social media.
“Arshdeep is a brave guy and doesn’t mind being trolled. He missed a catch but still grabbed the chance with both hands when his captain asked him to play last,” said Jaswant Rai, l childhood coach of Arshdeep. TimesofIndia.com.
Arshdeep actually received the 20th for playing in the two Super 4 games that India lost (against Pakistan and against Sri Lanka). In both games, Arshdeep was asked to defend 7 points.
Arshdeep Singh. (AFP photo)
“In T20Is, 7 points is very inferior. It is very difficult to defend 7 points (into an over). If the goal was more than 10 points, Arshdeep would have turned the game around,” Jaswant Rai told TimesofIndia again. com.
“The never say die attitude was visible in his action, his body language and his bowling. He gave it his all in both games. He has the support of the captain. He is young. When you have a captain like Rohit and a senior like Virat in the team, there will always be a lot of support for a youngster like Arshdeep,” added Rai, who Arshdeep started training with at the age of 13.
‘BHUVNESHWAR SHOULD HAVE BOWLED THE LATEST OVERS’
In the Super 4 match against Pakistan, India had 26 points to defend in the last 2 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar pitched penultimate and was hammered for 19 runs (WD, 1.6, WD, 1.4,1.4) and that brought the equation down to 7 needed in the final over. Arshdeep, playing last to defend 7 runs, gave away a single on the first delivery, then conceded a boundary to Asif Ali. He then threw a point ball and sent Asif Ali (16) return to the pavilion. Iftikhar Ahmedthe new man from the crease, collected a brace to help Pakistan win a thrilling encounter.
In the unmissable game against Sri Lanka, India entered as favorites. But Sri Lanka had other plans. After India posted a tough 173 on , the Emerald Islanders chased the total with a ball to spare.
As Sri Lanka needed 21 runs in 2 overs, Rohit again opted for Bhuvneshwar to play the 19th over and the experienced bowler then lost 14 runs (1,1,WD,WD,4,4,1, 1), bringing the equation back down to 7 runs needed on 6 balls. Arshdeep once again found himself in a high pressure situation.
Arshdeep Singh. (AFP photo)
Arshdeep threw the Yorkers at full throttle, with Sri Lanka picking up 5 runs in the first 4 balls. With 2 needed on 2 balls, Dasun Shanaka failed to play a good fullback from a length delivery from Arshdeep and ran for a single. Rishabh pants and Arshdeep both had the opportunity to inflict a run but both failed to hit the stumps with their throws. India lost the match by 6 wickets.
“In my opinion, Rohit should have given Arshdeep the penultimate overs (19th overs) and Bhuvneshwar the last overs. Bhuvneshwar should have knocked down the last overs, not Arshdeep. Arshdeep played very good yorkers under pressure in both matches Bhuvneshwar gave it so short on the 19th over Arshdeep would have created pressure and the points needed in the last over would have been defensible Bhuvneshwar could have defended them easily Rohit should have opted for Arshdeep at the 19th in the two matches,” coach Jaswant Rai further said TimesofIndia.com.
Arshdeep Singh. (AP Photo)
“7 points is nothing in T20I cricket. It is very difficult and almost impossible to defend. Arshdeep played very well. The team supported him a lot and gave him a lot of confidence after this match,” Rai said.
“After the game against Pakistan, I spoke with Arshdeep. He also messaged me saying he was not bothered by the trolls and social media outrage. He was actually upset because “he had conceded a boundary against Pakistan. He was discouraged because of that boundary. . He said if that boundary hadn’t been marked, he would have won the game for India. I’m really proud of that. Arshdeep. He knows how to play under pressure and that’s exactly what he did,” the coach concluded.