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October 11, 2024
Suzie Bates, a senior New Zealand batter, has been signed by the Hobart Hurricanes as a replacement player for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. Although Bates, who previously played for the Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Sixers, and Perth Scorchers, wasn’t initially picked in the WBBL draft, she was later brought in due to the unavailability of England players, who will miss the latter part of the tournament for their tour of South Africa.
Bates, the highest run-scorer in women’s T20 internationals, will replace Danni Wyatt-Hodge for the final stages of the competition. The Hurricanes had earlier selected Wyatt-Hodge and Chloe Tryon in the draft, while also retaining Lizelle Lee.
Speaking about signing Bates, Salliann Beams, the General Manager of High Performance at Hurricanes said: “Bringing Suzie into our WBBL squad just made sense as soon as we saw she was not selected in the WBBL 10 Draft, we thought she would be the perfect replacement for Danni once we knew her availability.”
“She provides more than 130 games of World T20 cricket and will give us an experienced operator when we lose someone of Danni’s ability in our line-up,” Beams said.
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Arshdeep Singh paused for a moment, searching for the right words, but all he managed to say was, “I don’t…” before breaking into laughter. He appeared a bit awkward when Murali Kartik asked him about his role as a leader during the post-match presentation ceremony in Gwalior. Despite his discomfort, Arshdeep’s leadership was evident as he supported Mayank Yadav, who was bowling his first over in international cricket. Restless at mid-on, Arshdeep focused intently as Mayank delivered the ball, guiding him as he returned to his mark.
At just 25 years old, Arshdeep has already experienced a remarkable journey since Rohit Sharma presented him with his India cap in Southampton. Over the past couple of years, he has faced challenges, including dropped catches and occasional no-balls, but his resilience has always shone through. This determination has led him to play in two T20 World Cups, including one that India won. He has also become the second-fastest Indian to reach 50 T20I wickets and has earned the trust to bowl crucial overs for his team.
“I’m just enjoying my game. Don’t know how two years have gone,” Arshdeep said before the second T20I against Bangladesh in Delhi. “I just try to stay in the moment, enjoy the highs and the lows. That’s my focus.”
Arshdeep Singh’s talent for staying present in the moment makes him a crucial player in India’s death-bowling strategy. In the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados, he was given the important responsibility of bowling the 19th over. Despite the presence of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, which made him the prime target for the batters, Arshdeep rose to the occasion. He bowled six near-perfect deliveries, conceding just three runs to David Miller off two balls, and kept India firmly in contention as they headed into the final over.
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A similar narrative unfolded during India’s league match against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where then-bowling coach Paras Mhambrey praised Arshdeep Singh for his “ability to handle pressure.” This quality is rare, especially for someone so young.
Arshdeep’s composure was evident in Gwalior, where he naturally stepped into a leadership role and took charge when it mattered most. He claimed both openers with the new ball and returned in the final overs to secure a straightforward victory with a precise yorker. Unsurprisingly, he was named Player of the Match.
Since his international debut in July 2022, no pacer has taken more T20 wickets than Arshdeep Singh, showcasing how he has maximized his abilities. While he may not possess the express pace of some of his teammates or intimidate batters with a fierce glare, his easy-going smile does little to create the image of a fearsome fast bowler. Off the field, he’s quite approachable, but on the pitch, he becomes a different player.
It’s no surprise that Arshdeep has consistently secured his place in the squad and performed admirably, even without some of India’s top bowlers alongside him. Given his ambition to break into the Test side and play across all formats—something he has openly discussed—this seems like a natural progression for him.
When asked about this prospect in Delhi, amid the excitement surrounding the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Arshdeep kept it simple: “I want to do my best in all formats wherever I get the opportunity.”
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India’s busy white-ball schedule has limited left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh’s opportunities to play red-ball cricket, with just three Ranji Trophy matches for Punjab since his international debut. However, he has worked hard to stay sharp in the longer format by playing county cricket for Kent last year, encouraged by former head coach Rahul Dravid. Although his stint wasn’t remarkable—averaging over 41 with the Dukes ball—it provided valuable experience.
Bowling on flat English pitches helped Arshdeep adapt to the ODI format, and later that year, he was named Player of the Series in a three-match ODI series against South Africa. Recently, he showcased his red-ball potential with an impressive six-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy, further strengthening his case for a spot in the Test team.
Reflecting on how red-ball cricket enhances his T20 skills, Arshdeep explained, “Playing T20 feels easier after red-ball cricket. You get to test how quickly you can adapt to conditions, ground dimensions, or formats. It gives you a chance to explore your skills, take wickets in different ways, and absorb pressure. Red-ball cricket teaches you patience. In T20s, you don’t need patience; you have to think ahead of the batter.”
Despite his rising profile in Indian cricket and the buzz surrounding his potential transition to other formats, Arshdeep remains focused on the present.
“My life mantra is to enjoy the present. Today is my rest day, so I will enjoy my rest today,” he said on the eve of the Delhi T20I, having turned up at the Arun Jaitley stadium only for some sponsor event and this press conference. “The T20 World Cup is two years away. It’s very far. I don’t think much about the future. Others are taking tension (smiles).”
For now, Arshdeep continues doing what he does best: staying calm, staying focused, and trusting that tomorrow will take care of itself. Or, as he likes to put it, “kal ka kal dekhenge.”
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