Arshdeep Singh Highlights Leadership Styles of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill

Arshdeep Singh's Insights on Captaincy

Arshdeep Singh, India's left-arm fast bowler, recently compared the ODI captaincy styles of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, labeling both as 'proper' captains who empower their bowlers.

During the announcement of the Indian squad for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, chief selector Ajit Agarkar named Shubman Gill as the new captain, taking over from Rohit. The 26-year-old faces a challenging debut as he leads India in a three-match ODI series against Australia.

The Challenge of Captaincy

The first match at Perth's Optus Stadium served as a stark reminder for Gill, as his team suffered a seven-wicket loss (DLS method) in a rain-affected game. Arshdeep, who played under Rohit during the Champions Trophy final, noted that he couldn't discern significant differences between the two captains but emphasized their similar approach to managing bowlers.

"In ODIs, my experience is limited, so I can't pinpoint the differences yet. However, both captains are proper bowler-friendly. They grant us the freedom to execute our plans. Today, Shubman supported our strategies and encouraged us to bowl freely and enjoy the game. We were aware of our limited runs but aimed to express ourselves. That was his message, and I believe he will have a successful tenure ahead," Arshdeep stated in the post-match press conference.

Arshdeep's Bowling Strategy

As India's leading T20I wicket-taker with 101 dismissals, Arshdeep made an early impact by dismissing Travis Head but lost his rhythm after his initial two-over spell. He elaborated on his bowling strategy and the need to adapt based on the match situation.

"The approach in ODIs differs from T20s. My mindset is aggressive; I aim to take wickets early. However, there's a balance to maintain. Initially, I focus on bowling at the right length and being patient to set up the batsman. In T20s, the batsman tends to attack more," he explained.

"In the final overs, I adopt a T20 mindset. I constantly assess how the other batsmen are performing and what assistance the pitch offers. My goal is to learn how to bowl effectively in different formats and adapt to the conditions," Arshdeep concluded.

Match Summary

In the match, Arshdeep finished with figures of 1/31 in five overs as Australia chased down the target, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. India managed to score 136/9 after rain interruptions reduced the match to 26 overs each. The target was adjusted to 131 runs due to the DLS method, with Australia's stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh scoring an unbeaten 46, leading his team to their first ODI victory at the Optus Stadium in seven years.