Simranjeet Singh Reflects on His Journey Ahead of Asia Cup 2025
For Simranjeet Singh, the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match against India holds special significance. The 35-year-old slow left-arm spinner from Ludhiana sees this clash as a return to his roots. He fondly remembers bowling to a young Shubman Gill at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) nets in Mohali over a decade ago.
“I’ve known Shubman since he was a kid, though I’m not sure if he remembers me,” Simranjeet shared in a recent interview. “It must have been around 2011-2012. He was only 11 or 12 at the time, and we would train at the PCA Academy from early morning until noon. Shubman would come in with his father, and I often stayed late to bowl extra, so I bowled a lot to him during those sessions.”
Simranjeet’s journey has been anything but straightforward. After being a regular player in Punjab’s district cricket scene, he made it to the Ranji Trophy probables in 2017 and practiced at Kings XI Punjab’s nets, but a big break never came his way. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
In April 2021, Simranjeet traveled to Dubai for some practice. However, when the second wave hit India, he found himself unable to return home. “I ended up staying in Dubai, coaching juniors while playing club cricket to support myself,” he explained. After fulfilling the three-season domestic requirement, he reached out to UAE’s national coach, Lalchand Rajput.
Rajput describes Simranjeet as a ‘crafty’ bowler, noting, “Not every left-arm spinner in T20Is can consistently give the ball air and flight. Simran has a knack for taking wickets through flight.” In his T20I career so far, he has taken 15 wickets in 12 matches with an impressive economy rate under six. His most recent performance against Afghanistan saw him take 1 wicket for just 24 runs, with 11 dot balls bowled.
As a devout Sikh, Simranjeet appreciates the freedom to practice his faith in the UAE. “This is a wonderful country. No one has ever questioned my beard, kara, or kirpan,” he said.
When it comes to family loyalties in the upcoming match, he laughs and replies, “That’s a tricky one! I always dreamed of playing for India, but now that I’m representing the UAE, I guess they’ll support the UAE.”
Stay tuned for updates on the Asia Cup 2025, including match schedules, team line-ups, live scores, and the latest points table!
