NEW DELHI: Arshdeep Singh had plenty to celebrate after playing a decisive role in India’s thrilling 22-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth ODI in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, but the Player of the Match had another special reason to cherish the moment. The left-arm pacer opened up about his fiancee, crediting her support for helping him maintain the right mindset and perform on the field.Arshdeep, who finished with impressive figures of 3/30, spoke warmly about his partner after India defended a modest total of 209 to secure a dramatic victory and clinched the five-match ODI series 3-1.“I mean, God has been really grateful and kind to me. I’ve got a really nice partner. She’s very supportive and always helps me stay in the right mindset. So yes, a lot credit goes to her as well, the way I am on the field depends a lot on how I’m working off the field. So yes, it’s been very exciting and I’m loving it,” Arshdeep said after the match.The Indian pacer also reflected on his recent engagement at Mount Maunganui beach, admitting that he was nervous before popping the question but had the perfect setting to make the occasion memorable.“Can’t ask for a better view to do that. I was pretty tense but yes, the view helped and it feels pretty nice,” he said.
Arshdeep’s crucial cameo and disciplined bowling
While his comments about his fiancee offered a glimpse into his personal life, Arshdeep’s contribution with the ball and a handy cameo with the bat were equally important in India’s comeback victory.The left-arm pacer chipped in with crucial runs alongside Mohammed Siraj towards the end of India’s innings, helping the visitors cross the 200-run mark after New Zealand had dominated with the ball.Explaining the importance of their partnership, Arshdeep said: “Yes, that’s the chat when we ended the batting as well. Siraj told me that these runs will be very crucial. And we made sure we went above 200 and that was a little thought in mind: we had crossed a small milestone there and had some runs to bowl at.”The 27-year-old also joked about his enthusiasm for batting, despite coming in at No. 11.“I love my batting. Even if I’m batting at eleven, I enjoy it. And always trying to create room for myself and smash it. But some people on my team say that I’m scared of the ball. But I take it. I create room,” he said.With the ball, Arshdeep was instrumental in turning the contest around after New Zealand had reached 64/1 in their chase. India picked up five wickets for just 55 runs to shift the momentum before eventually bowling out the hosts for 187 in 48.1 overs.Reflecting on the bowling unit’s persistence, he said: “I feel like we kept coming and we were very disciplined with our areas and we didn’t let go of that thing even when we were not getting the results, we were not getting the wickets. But we kept bowling that and eventually got the results and yes, we won.”
India’s pacers script remarkable turnaround
India had earlier struggled with the bat after being put in, with Matthew Fisher removing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli cheaply. Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan scored 46 each, while Naman Dhir added 22 as the visitors were bowled out for 209.New Zealand appeared well placed during their chase, but India’s bowlers produced a collective effort to trigger a dramatic collapse.Yash Thakur claimed his maiden ODI wicket, while Mohammed Siraj and Axar picked up two wickets apiece. Arshdeep led the attack with three scalps to complete India’s turnaround.The two sides will next meet in a two-Test series beginning November 19.
