India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has indicated that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is under consideration for red-ball cricket during the upcoming New Zealand tour. The squad planning includes a group of bowlers who could serve as backup options for the two Tests scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch. Arshdeep, who has established himself as a leading T20I performer, remains without a Test debut despite his domestic red-ball credentials.

Arshdeep completed his 100th T20 International during India's second T20I versus New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, where he took two wickets. The 25-year-old left-arm medium-fast bowler stands just two wickets short of becoming India's first bowler to reach 150 T20I wickets. His T20I career has made him a specialist in the shortest format, yet he has not yet represented India in Test cricket.

"We are sort of planning, you know, a group of bowlers that we would like to potentially stay behind as cover (for Tests) because of the schedule. I also think closer to the time, once we get a better understanding of the conditions at this time of the year, you know, we will get a clear picture in terms of the makeup of our bowling unit." Morkel said as quoted by NDTV Sports.

Arshdeep in conversation for Test cricket

In the 50-over format, Arshdeep has claimed 30 wickets across 18 ODIs, including a five-wicket haul. His performances in limited-overs cricket have demonstrated his ability to perform at the international level. However, his Test opportunity has remained elusive despite his domestic red-ball record.

Across 24 domestic red-ball matches, Arshdeep has taken 73 wickets at an average of 30.71. His domestic performances include four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls, with his best figures standing at 6 for 40. These statistics underscore his capability in longer-format cricket at the domestic level.

Morkel acknowledged that Arshdeep ticks all the boxes for Test cricket and remains firmly in the conversation for red-ball opportunities. The bowling coach stressed that the pacer's work ethic and domestic credentials make him a viable option if needed during the tour.

"So at the moment, on paper, in the back of our minds, there are a nice group of bowlers that can suit all the conditions, and Arshdeep is definitely in that conversation. And yeah, I mean, in terms of that, he is a guy who always, you know, works hard. He ticks all the boxes. So if needed with the red ball, I am pretty sure, you know, you will be fine," Morkel said.

Contingency plans and squad rotation strategy

India's squad planning for the tour involves careful rotation across the T20I, ODI and Test formats. Morkel revealed that India A players are also being prepared for red-ball cricket, and the team has mapped out a comprehensive strategy to manage workloads across all three formats.

"I am pretty sure you're aware there are a couple of guys playing in the India A getting ready for red-ball cricket. In the 50 overs, we will also rotate and give guys, you know, the game time that is needed, we felt for the Test matches. So I think we have got a— I am gonna touch wood— a bulletproof plan at the moment in terms of how we have mapped everything out," Morkel said.

Morkel acknowledged that unforeseen circumstances could require adjustments to the planned approach. He stressed that backup combinations and rotation strategies are in place to ensure all players are ready when needed.

"But, you know, unfortunately, not everything always goes according to plan. So the backup we have got and the combinations we have got are all in place and ready in terms of rotation and making sure when we get ready for that first Test and for the 50 overs, everybody is ready. That is including (Jasprit) Bumrah all the way down," Morkel said.

Arshdeep was part of both the T20I and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour. The five T20Is and five ODIs commenced from November 4 onwards, with the Test series beginning November 19. Among the pace bowlers in the T20I squad, Arshdeep remained the only one included in the ODI squad as well, highlighting his role across multiple formats during the tour.