Arshdeep Singh expressed his delight at returning to Kent, where he played county cricket two years ago, as he seeks to find his red-ball rhythm ahead of the five-Test series against England, which begins on June 20.
India is scheduled to play a four-day warm-up game at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham beginning June 13. This will be the final preparation for Shubman Gill’s side prior of the highly anticipated series against England.
Arshdeep stated that the players are eager to return to the red-ball mode after several of them competed in the thrilling 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He predicted that once the bowlers became accustomed to playing with the red ball, they would give the England batsmen a run for their money.
“My primary motivation for today’s training session was to acquire a feel for the rhythm — how the body feels, how the red ball comes out of the hand — because the players had been practicing with the white ball for quite some time. So, I thoroughly appreciated it. Going forward, as we improve step by step, the intensity will increase, and batters will find it increasingly tough to face the ball,” Arshdeep told BCCI TV.
The left-arm seamer stated that while the emphasis was on finding the best rhythm as a hitter, the batters were in a competitive mood, and they needed to devise good strategies to get them out. Arshdeep stated that Shubman and Sai Sudharsan, who were given their first Test call-up, appeared to be in good shape.
“It was fun to bowl to the batters. They appeared compact, and there was a competitive spirit—even though we were only working on rhythm, they were fully engaged. So that made it even more enjoyable. We had to grind correctly and try to get them out with a strong strategy. Sai [Sudharsan] has joined the team for the first time, and he looks quite compact. The skipper [Shubman Gill] appeared in good shape. “I’ll do my best to improve and release them more frequently in the future,” Arshdeep stated.
The focus is on how we can enhance each other’s game. Arshdeep Singh
The Punjab pacer discussed his self-belief while also recognising older pro Jasprit Bumrah’s prowess. Arshdeep explained how they are continually trying to improve their talents and help the team reach the desired goals.
“Whenever I have the ball, I always feel like I’m the best. But everyone knows that when you’re in an offensive with a player named Jasprit Bumrah, the term ‘compare’ doesn’t exist. So the emphasis is on how we can better one other’s games, skill sets, and aid the team. That’s where my attention is.” Arshdeep stated.
The 26-year-old speedster, who helped Punjab Kings reach the IPL 2025 final after an 11-year absence, also spoke about his time representing Kent and how he used to unwind in the lovely county.
“It feels great to be here. At first, you get that ‘homely’ sense, like, yes, I’ve spent two months here previously, so it’s fantastic. I am looking forward to making many more memories here. It’s a modest, tranquil place. There are not many individuals around. If you need to relax, this is the spot to go—there’s always a cool breeze blowing, a nice warmth from the sun, and sipping hot chocolate in that environment is pure heaven. Arshdeep added, “And if you have a sweet tooth, make sure to have some churros with it.”
India
