Arshdeep Singh’s rise as India’s white-ball specialist has been rapid and impressive. In the last couple of years, the left-arm fast bowler has turned into a reliable wicket-taker, delivering for India in crucial tournaments.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan now says there is “no doubt” that Arshdeep is India’s No. 1 pacer in T20 cricket.
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At the same time, Pathan has also put forward another name who could follow in his footsteps- Khaleel Ahmed.
Why does Pathan rate Arshdeep Singh so highly?
Arshdeep has been a constant presence in India’s T20 setup. His ability to swing with the new ball, mix up his pace at the death makes him stand out.
He was a major reason behind India lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024. He finished with 17 wickets to become one of the top bowlers of the tournament.
With 99 wickets in just 63 matches, the 25-year-old is on the verge of becoming the first Indian to claim 100 wickets in T20 internationals.
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Who does Pathan see as the next left-arm option after Arshdeep?
According to Irfan Pathan, Khaleel Ahmed is the closest bowler who can match Arshdeep’s skill set.
Pathan feels Khaleel has improved steadily in the last couple of years, especially with his speed, control, and ability to swing the ball both ways.
“After Arshdeep, if we must talk about someone who has the skill and as a left-arm fast bowler, you need a few things like the ability to bowl around the speed of 135-140 (kmph), swing the ball both ways, bowl bouncers – Khaleel ticks all these boxes, and is now improving more," Pathan was quoted as saying to Revsportz.
Khaleel has shown his worth in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he played a vital role for Chennai Super Kings in the last season. He picked up 15 wickets across 14 games and impressed with his control in the powerplay overs.
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Pathan explained that Khaleel has added new weapons to his bowling. The left-armer now bowls a sharper slow bouncer, has a better seam position, and his overall fitness has improved.
These factors, Pathan believes, will allow Khaleel to perform at his peak for the next 4–5 years.
“He has improved his slow bouncer, his seam position is better, and he has improved his fitness as well. So, he has all the potential to play at his peak, which is right now, and the next 4-5 years," Irfan Pathan said.
It’s all about being in the right place, at the right time, and performing in crucial situations. He had a really good season with CSK, and being there as well does help. Hopefully, he’ll be able to make it really big within the next 5 to 6 years," he added.
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The 27-year-old has not been part of India’s T20 squad since playing against Sri Lanka in 2024, where he went wicketless on a slow surface.