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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have extended support to beleaguered cricketer Arshdeep Singh and his family after being attacked by Pak bots following India’s loss against arch-rivals Pakistan in an Asia Cup Super Four tie.
Amidst controversy over Indian seamer Arshdeep Singh being tagged as a Khalistan after he dropped a catch in the India-Pak Asia Cup Super 4 match, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have extended support to the player and his family.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha met his parents at his house in Kharar on Monday evening to extend the party’s as well as the state government’s support to the beleaguered family.
On Sunday, the left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh – who has made a mark as a nifty T20 bowler in a short span of time – was at the receiving end of vicious trolling from Pakistani bots who labelled him a ‘Khalistani’ and used his Sikh identity to paint him as a separatist.
After meeting Arshdeep’s parents, Chadha said Arshdeep’s struggle and perseverance from humble origins to playing for India is inspiring. “I just met bowling superstar Arshdeep’s family in Kharar, Punjab. His parents have persevered and sacrificed so much. His struggle and perseverance, from humble origins to playing for India on an international stage, is inspiring. We all stand firmly with Arsh today,” said Chadha.
Earlier, Punjab Sports minister Gurmeet Singh also talked with Arshdeep’s parents on the phone and extended his support to them.
Arshdeep’s parents later told local media that they viewed the situation positively. They don’t have any grudges with anyone, and in the game it happens.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa filed a police complaint alleging fact checker Mohammad Zubair had tried to fuel hate by tweeting about Arshdeep after the India-Pak match. The IT ministry has also taken cognizance of the matter and has ordered a probe into it.
Born in 1999, Arshdeep began his career in 2018-19 when he played for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is a 50-over domestic tournament. His copious variations and skills were instantly recognised as he was snapped up by the Kings XI Punjab in the player auction for the 2019 Indian Premier League.
The left-arm seamer spent the next two years playing with many international cricketers in the IPL and picked up the ropes. IPL 2021 was the break-out season for him as he chalked up 18 wickets in only 12 matches and was one of the highest wicket-takers for his team. His ability to move the new ball both ways impressed one and all. He also showed his ability to spear in yorkers consistently during death overs.
Arshdeep made his T20I debut for India in July 2022 against England at Southampton and became only the third Indian bowler to bowl a maiden on his T20I debut. Later, in the T20I series against the West Indies, he bagged seven scalps in five matches and was adjudged Man of the Series. In a span of just three months, the seamer has become a regular in India’s T20I team by pitching in sterling performances.
As a bowler, he’s probing, economical and has the skill-set that is cut out for the T20 format. After he received ugly trolling from Pakistan bots, Arshdeep has received widespread support from the cricketing fraternity as well as Indian fans. If he manages to bowl well in the next few T20I matches, the youngster might find a berth in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup.
