The excitement was palpable at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, as the Indian team took on England in the series opener, but there was a certain level of shock when Mohammed Shami’s absence from the playing XI was confirmed. The much-anticipated return of Shami was delayed once again, leaving fans puzzled and disappointed. However, Arshdeep Singh stepped up, delivering an electrifying performance that not only silenced the doubters but also rejuvenated the crowd.
The Mystery of Shami’s Absence
As the fans at Eden Gardens tried to digest the news that Shami wasn’t playing, a palpable sense of disbelief lingered. Many had expected his return to be the highlight of the match, especially after a long 14-month wait for his comeback. The absence of the star pacer raised several questions, with one local fan remarking, “The pitch has grass, how can they not play Shami?” Despite the concerns, coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to delay Shami’s return once more, going with only one pacer in the lineup.
Arshdeep Singh Takes Over
As the match began, Arshdeep Singh made sure the crowd had no reason to dwell on Shami’s absence for too long. The left-arm pacer started his spell with a brilliant delivery that shaped into England’s opener Phil Salt, leaving the crowd in awe. His next delivery slanted away and was caught by the point fielder, before Arshdeep delivered another beauty in his third over, bouncing off a length to dismiss Salt, sending the 60,000-strong crowd into a frenzy.
“Darun ball (Fantastic delivery)!” shouted one fan in the stands, capturing the spirit of the moment. Arshdeep’s relentless efforts didn’t stop there, as he went on to dismiss Ben Duckett with a brilliant delivery that caused a false shot, taking India’s second wicket.
Eden’s New Hero
By the time Arshdeep had completed his third over, the Eden crowd had fully embraced him as their own. The doubts about India’s pacers were put to rest, and the disappointment of missing Bumrah and Shami seemed a distant memory. In a moment of pure celebration, Arshdeep broke into an impromptu bhangra, with the crowd joining in to celebrate the pacer’s brilliance.
For the younger fans, like seven-year-old Dhruv and his two brothers, this was just the beginning of their excitement. They screamed Arshdeep’s name, hoping to catch his attention, while the pacer, lost in the action, focused on helping India secure control over the game.
Abhishek Sharma’s Quickfire Fifty
While Arshdeep was taking wickets with his bowling, Abhishek Sharma turned up the heat with the bat. His blistering half-century in 20 balls added to the jubilation in Kolkata, ensuring India set a strong platform for a potential early finish. The crowd, still riding high on Arshdeep’s performance, cheered as Abhishek’s explosive knock took the game away from England, pushing them towards a daunting chase.
A Dominant Indian Performance
With support from Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi, India made sure England never gained any momentum. England was bowled out for just 132 in 20 overs, with India securing an emphatic victory. The conversations during the break shifted from cricket to practical matters, with some wondering if they could catch the last metro before midnight.
Conclusion
The match will be remembered not just for India’s dominant performance but for the energy Arshdeep Singh brought to Eden Gardens. The disappointment over Shami’s absence was quickly forgotten as Arshdeep proved that the future of India’s pace attack is in safe hands. Abhishek Sharma’s fireworks added the perfect finish, making sure the fans had a memorable evening.
