Arshdeep Singh Shines in Vijay Hazare Trophy with Career-Best Score and 20 Wickets, Boosting Champions Trophy Hopes

Despite Punjab’s quarter-final exit from the Vijay Hazare Trophy following a defeat to Maharashtra, Arshdeep Singh had a standout performance, including a career-best score in professional cricket on Saturday.

The left-arm pacer, who has played only a few 50-over matches and eight ODIs, enhanced his case for a spot in India’s Champions Trophy squad, set to begin in February. On Saturday, Arshdeep impressed with the ball, swinging it effectively and showcasing great accuracy. He dismissed Maharashtra’s captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and took two more wickets in his nine overs.

Finishing the tournament with 20 wickets in seven innings, Arshdeep became the first Punjab bowler to take 20 wickets in a Vijay Hazare Trophy season, topping the tournament’s bowling charts.

Arshdeep, who gained attention with a brilliant five-wicket haul (5/38) against a strong Mumbai lineup, including dismissals of Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, and Suryakumar Yadav, put on a stellar display with the ball. His economy rate stood at 5.53, and he added four-wicket performances against Hyderabad (4/50) and Puducherry (4/19) during the group stage.

Though his team was eliminated after a 70-run loss in a 276-run chase, Arshdeep delivered a strong batting performance, scoring 49 off 39 balls, including three fours and three sixes, before being dismissed in the 45th over.