Arshdeep Singh is getting looked upon as India’s next left-arm fast bowler after Zaheer Khan in Test cricket. The pacer from Punjab has already played 62 matches for Team India and has played two World Cups already. The experience he has is ample, and his temperament in tough situations has stood out as well. It wasn’t exactly a shock that the selectors were looking at him as a viable option in Test cricket and were interested in taking him to Australia at the end of the year.
With uncertainty over Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, it could be the right opportunity to bring Arshdeep Singh into the side for the India vs Bangladesh Test series. But the 25-year-old pacer has competition. Another left-arm pacer has been rising through the ranks. Yash Dayal, who received a BCCI fast bowling contract earlier in the year and did splendidly in the IPL 2024 season, has entered the race to become India’s next southpaw quick in Test cricket.
Both pacers are currently playing in the Duleep Trophy. The first-class tournament presents a good opportunity to see where some players stand. Given that the India vs Bangladesh Tests start on September 19, one can’t get a better opportunity to audition for Team India.
Yash Dayal dominates in Duleep Trophy
Arshdeep Singh has already done what he could. Playing the India C vs D match in Anantapur, he claimed just 2 wickets in 25 overs. The conditions were great for pacers, and his teammate Harshit Rana thrived, taking a 4-fer. But Arshdeep couldn’t do that great. Former head coach Rahul Dravid had sent the pacer to Kent last year to hone his red-ball skills, but he didn’t impress much there either. Taking 13 wickets at 41.76 in 5 matches, and now this is not a so good outing in a match where pacers took 17 of the 36 wickets that fell.
Yash Dayal, meanwhile, has already got 4 wickets to his name in the India A vs B match in Bengaluru. This includes bagging Riyan Parag’s scalp twice, former Indian opener Mayank Agarwal, and getting Dhruv Jurel on the first ball. Dayal has just looked mighty impressive despite being taken in for a few runs in the second innings.
Their records are somewhat identical, and they are just one year apart in age. Both are new ball bowlers and can swing the ball both ways. They work around 135 kmph; not much separates them frankly. Based on the Duleep Trophy 2024 performance, Dayal might be ahead. However, it depends on what selectors want. Arshdeep has international experience, and that might tilt things in his favour.
Arshdeep Singh vs Yash Dayal: First-class record
| Bowler | Mat | Inns | Balls | Wkts | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 5w & 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 17 | 30 | 3072 | 51 | 5/48 | 32.01 | 3.18 | 60.2 | 1 & 0 |
| Yash Dayal | 23 | 42 | 4247 | 72 | 9/121 | 29.26 | 2.97 | 58.9 | 1 & 0 |
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