Arshdeep reveals Siraj's game-changing advice for red-ball success: 'He told me that when nothing is...'

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh returned to the cricket field on Thursday during the Duleep Trophy 2025 quarter-final game between North Zone and East Zone. Despite an extended period of inactivity, Singh looked in rhythm, and it only took him 10 deliveries to pick his first scalp. He cleaned up East Zone opener Sharandeep Singh in the first innings to give his team a bright start.

It brought an end to a long wait that began with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. There were many occasions during the England series when Arshdeep's selection in the playing XI seemed likely. However, Gambhir and Gill eventually did not take a punt on him, and he was left on the bench for the first three games. Subsequently, a finger injury ahead of the fourth Test ruled him out for the remainder of the series.

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Arshdeep Singh reveals Siraj's Valuable lesson

Following the culmination of the England series, many statements have been made about Arshdeep. Reports spiralled that he grew impatient upon not getting the opportunity to play in England.

Reflecting on the experience of the past two months, Arshdeep said he had come to terms with his situation and even found delight in the inactivity.

"Mentally, in the last two months, I have learnt how to enjoy the boring time," Arshdeep told the broadcasters during Duleep Trophy game. "In Test cricket or red-ball matches, there is a time when the work gets boring. Like the session after lunch, the ball doesn't do anything... how can you enjoy that?" Arshdeep said on the sidelines of the ongoing Duleep Trophy.

Arshdeep also revealed the valuable lesson Mohammed Siraj taught him, which could define the course of success and failure in Test cricket.

"I spoke to Siraj, and he told me that when nothing is happening, how you enjoy that phase will tell you how successful you can be in red-ball cricket. He gave me this small tip and I really liked it."

Arshdeep stated that he brought Siraj's teaching to practice when the ball was not fetching any purchase from the surface during the Duleep Trophy match.

"The same thing happened here. They (East Zone) were just four wickets down, and the ball wasn't doing anything. So, that was the main motive... how to enjoy each other's company. That's how the results came," he added.

Though he only got one wicket in the match so far, Arshdeep is satisfied with the experience he garnered in the last two months. He believes his strengths have been further nurtured.

"This game, I felt really good. The last couple of months I was with the (Indian) team, trained a lot, bowled a lot and worked a lot with the S&C (strength and conditioning). Here, I bowled a decent long spell, 17 overs. It is coming out well, and the body feels well," he detailed.

"It's nothing like that. In the last Test (at the Oval against England), I started training with a white ball. I didn't know that there was a Duleep Trophy match in between. The workload was properly managed."

While he would have to remain patient to earn his debut Test cap, when it comes to the T20I format, he is one of the bona fide starters. Subsequently, Arshdeep's services are expected to be of prime importance for Team India in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.