International cricket is all about handling mental pressure.
Talent alone is not enough. Mental strength is the difference between those who make it and the ones that don’t.
If there is one cricketer who epitomises this, it’s Arshdeep Singh.
A few weeks ago, he was brutally targeted by trolls on social media for dropping a catch in a crucial game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022.
The dropped catch ultimately cost India the Super 4 game and played a part in India’s elimination from the tournament.
It’s natural for a young cricketer to go on a guilt trip after such an incident.
Replaying it in one’s mind can also lead to erosion of confidence.
However, Arshdeep showed nerves of steel and simply moved on.
Instead of dwelling on the incident, he laughed away the extreme criticism that even termed him as a ‘Khalistani’.
Against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram, Arshdeep proved that he had successfully moved on, by bowling a brilliant match-winning spell.
Arshdeep was handed the new ball after Rohit Sharma asked the visitors to bat first.
The left-arm quick responded in style by knocking over Quinton de Kock.
In last two deliveries of the second over, the young Indian speedster took out Rilee Rossouw and David Miller for ducks.
Arshdeep returned figures of 3/32 and was adjudged the Player of the Match.
At the post-match presentation, the pacer from Punjab said, “In the first over DC bhai (Deepak Chahar) set the tone and we knew there was plenty of help from the surface.”
“The plan was to keep it simple and bowl in the right areas. I enjoyed Miller’s wicket as I thought he was expecting an outswinger, but I bowled an inswinger instead.”
“The thought was to get his (Maharaj) wicket but he played well and the plan could have been different. I am refreshed, had a good training session at NCA and hopefully I give such performances moving forward as well.”
Vice-captain KL Rahul also heaped massive praise on the young bowler, stating that Arshdeep was getting better with every game.
With this never-say-die attitude, Arshdeep has a bright future.