Morkel Says Arshdeep Singh Understands Team’s ‘Bigger Picture’ Despite Selection Snub

Bowling coach Morne Morkel stated that pacer Arshdeep Singh comprehends the team management’s strategy of testing combinations for the T20 World Cup.

Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel said on Wednesday that Arshdeep Singh understands the team management’s approach to trying different combinations for the bigger picture. This comes despite the pacer’s intermittent selection in recent matches.

Arshdeep Singh was named Player of the Match on his comeback in the third T20I against Australia in Hobart. He had not been picked for the first two games of the series. He was also not the first choice during the Asia Cup in September due to conditions in Dubai. Arshdeep is the only Indian bowler with over 100 T20I wickets.

“Arshdeep is experienced and he knows that we are looking at the bigger picture and trying out different combinations. He knows he is a world-class bowler and taken most wickets in the Powerplay,” Morkel told mediapersons ahead of the fourth T20 International.

ALSO READ | Gautam Gambhir & Co. Wish India Women’s Team Ahead Of World Cup Final

“We know how valuable he is to the team and but we also needed to look at other combinations and he understands that,” he added. Morkel acknowledged that dealing with selection disappointment is not easy for a player of Arshdeep’s caliber.

“It is not easy, There will always be disappointment in terms of players and selection, but that is something at times that, as a player, is uncontrollable,” he said.

World Cup Preparations

With only 10 T20Is remaining after this series before the T20 World Cup, Morkel emphasized the importance of players being ready for pressure situations.

“For us, from our side, we just keep on asking them to work hard and be ready for when they do get the opportunity. There are limited games now leading into the T20 World Cup.”

“So, it is essential for us to see how the players can react in certain situations under pressure; otherwise, it will be unknown to us. So, it is a bit of playing those sort of games and then still having the mindset to win the game of cricket,” said Morkel.

ALSO READ | Mitchell Santner To Lead As New Zealand Recall Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi For West Indies Series

The coaching staff is focused on exploring multiple player options to ensure flexibility. “You need to have options available. I think every team, if you look across the world, is playing around with options,” he said.

“I think in this game you need to be adaptable. You need to know where certain players can give you options in different roles. And if you are not going to try those roles and see how they handle the pressure in those situations, you are never going to know,” he added.

Morkel concluded by stressing the importance of thorough preparation to avoid future regrets. “You do not want to sit two years down the line and say, if only we tried that, or give this combination a bit more time, it would have developed. So yes, I think it is about playing it smartly,” Morkel signed off.