'Very rarely do I get chance to play red-ball cricket': Arshdeep

India pacer Arshdeep Singh has returned to first-class cricket to bolster his prospects for a Test debut. The 27-year-old, who has amassed 18 ODIs and 91 T20Is, had been absent from first-class action for almost a year until his appearance in the 2026 Duleep Trophy. Playing for North Zone against West Zone in Bengaluru, Arshdeep contributed significantly to his team's 52-run victory and claimed figures of 3/53 and 1/40 in both innings.

Arshdeep expressed his joy at the opportunity to play red-ball cricket once again, stating, "Very rarely do I get the chance to play red-ball cricket, and this was a chance. I wanted to showcase my skill set and just see how many overs I can bowl." After extensive practice, Arshdeep's body was a bit sore from the experience, but he viewed the game as a win for both his body and mind.

Ahead of the Duleep Trophy, Arshdeep adjusted his training regimen specifically to focus on bowling with the red ball. He emphasized the advantage of red-ball cricket, noting, "Red ball has that beauty of giving you a chance again." Even if Arshdeep fails to take wickets with the new ball, he has multiple opportunities to bounce back during the second spell.

Arshdeep, who previously played for Kent in the County Championship, acknowledged the value of county cricket but also highlighted the demanding nature of India's packed cricket schedule. He stated, "Whenever you get a chance, whenever there is a time frame you can go to England to play county cricket, that is a really good experience, but now, with the IPL, the white-ball season at home, and domestic cricket also going on, you can’t go play county."

Arshdeep emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in domestic cricket, as he believes that attending to this aspect will ensure that the overall level remains strong.