Arshdeep Singh has built a reputation as one of India’s most dependable T20I bowlers, but earlier this year, the left-arm quick found himself in an unfamiliar role, watching from the sidelines. India carried a 15-member squad to the 2025 Champions Trophy in the UAE, yet only three players didn’t feature in any match, and Arshdeep was one of them.
What made his exclusion even more surprising was his domestic form: he entered the tournament as the leading wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, team management opted for Harshit Rana as the third seamer, a choice they had hinted at during the pre-event England series. While the selection stirred debate outside the dressing room, Arshdeep kept his focus on staying prepared.
Following India’s dominant win in the opening T20I against South Africa in Cuttack, Arshdeep spoke about that earlier phase during a light-hearted post-match discussion with Robin Uthappa and Dale Steyn on JioHotstar. When asked how he handled the lack of game time during the Champions Trophy, his answer left both analysts laughing.
Arshdeep explained that he didn’t brood over the decision; instead, he found himself simply bored in his hotel room once he realised he wouldn’t be playing India’s first game of the tournament. With unexpected free time and nothing meaningful to distract him, he decided to launch a YouTube channel, something he had been curious about but had never attempted. He described this spontaneous decision as a small silver lining in an otherwise frustrating situation.
He went on to say that he tries to stay positive regardless of circumstances. According to him, being part of the national dressing room is a privilege in itself, and moments of waiting are part of an international career. He added that what matters most is staying ready and performing decisively whenever an opportunity finally arrives.
The YouTube channel, @ArshdeepSinghOfficialYoutube, has quickly gained traction, now boasting more than 3.1 lakh subscribers. A recent video featuring Virat Kohli after the third ODI against South Africa has already amassed over 13 lakh views, illustrating how enthusiastically fans have embraced this new side of him.
On the field, Arshdeep continues to deliver. In the first T20I, he dismissed Quinton de Kock in the opening over and removed Tristan Stubbs soon after, contributing significantly to India’s 101-run victory, which pushed the side to a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Arshdeep’s story from the Champions Trophy to now reflects a rare blend of resilience and humour, turning a professional disappointment into a creative outlet while continuing to excel when it matters most.
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