Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes has said that comparing India pacer Arshdeep Singh to Pakistan legend Wasim Akram will only put him under pressure. The left-arm pacer was impressive for Team India in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, picking up 10 wickets in the competition.
“I think that’s putting him under a lot of pressure, to compare him to the great Wasim Akram, the sultan of swing. He’s someone who has great potential and the possibility of having a fantastic career,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes went on to say that Arshdeep has grown a lot in the last two years, insisting that the 23-year-old is willing to learn and puts in the hard yards.
“Arshdeep has certainly grown in the last two years and that’s been the case with the Indian fast bowlers. You look at a Bumrah and his progression was so so quick and Arshdeep has done the same, he is a young fast bowler, willing to learn and listen and he puts in the hard yards,” Rhodes added.
“He does swing the ball and has been a revelation at the death. He’s great in the powerplay, has got good control and he can come around the wicket like Wasim Akram effectively. He’s someone who has great potential and possibility of having a fantastic career. But you start to compare players to the ones who played before them, that puts them under unnecessary pressure. He wants to be the best Arshdeep Singh,” said Rhodes.
