Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn, on Sunday, December 14, lauded Arshdeep Singh’s performance against his team in the third T20I in Dharamsala, saying that he is a perfect T20I bowler in setting up the batter within two to three deliveries and then managing a dismissal.
Arshdeep roared back into form in the third game of the five-match series at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, finishing with brilliant figures of 2/13 from his four overs. He made an immediate impact in the opening over, striking early to dismiss Reeza Hendricks.
During his opening spell of three overs, Arshdeep conceded just one four, underlining the probing nature of his bowling that left the Proteas struggling. Steyn was impressed with his line and length, noting that Arshdeep showed how the job should be done in the shortest format.
“In Test matches, you can get 4-5 overs to work over a batter. 20/20, you may get 3-5 balls. Arshdeep just showed exactly how it’s done,” Steyn tweeted on Sunday evening.
After his opening spell, Arshdeep returned to bowl the 19th over of South Africa’s innings and struck again, dismissing Aiden Markram, who had been anchoring the visitors’ chase. The latter fell for 61.
It is worth noting that Arshdeep endured a forgettable outing in the second T20I at Mullanpur, conceding 54 runs, including seven wides in a single over. Those extras didn’t sit well with head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was seen losing his cool on camera.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma chipped in with a brisk cameo after the pacers delivered a captivating display of swing bowling, guiding India to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the third T20I.