TL;DR
- * R Ashwin questions Arshdeep Singh's consistent omission from India's T20I playing XI.
- * Ashwin believes Arshdeep's rhythm is affected by being repeatedly benched.
- * India's selection under Gautam Gambhir prioritizes batting depth over specialist bowlers.
- * The decision to bench proven match-winners like Arshdeep is under scrutiny.
India's second T20I loss to Australia in Sydney has sparked another selection debate, this time led by R Ashwin. The recently retired spinner, speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, questioned why left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh continues to warm the bench despite his consistent record in T20Is.
His comments come as India experiments with combinations under Gautam Gambhir, prioritising batting depth over specialist bowlers.
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Ashwin asks about Arshdeep's omission
Ashwin said he couldn't make sense of why Arshdeep was not picked in India's playing XI. The 26-year-old pacer has not featured in either of the first two games in Australia.
"Arshdeep Singh's name should be the second on your fast bowlers' list if Bumrah is playing. If Bumrah isn't, he should be first. I just cannot understand how Arshdeep keeps missing out. He has been benched so many times that he has lost a bit of rhythm," Ashwin said.
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Ashwin clarified that his comments were not directed at Harshit Rana, the all-rounder who replaced Arshdeep in the XI, but rather at what he sees as an imbalance in selection strategy.
Gambhir's batting depth choice under review
Under Gambhir, India have repeatedly opted for all-rounders to lengthen the batting lineup — a trend visible across formats. Harshit Rana, who bowled two expensive overs and scored 35 off 33 in Sydney, has been one of the key beneficiaries of that approach.
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But Ashwin argued that players like Arshdeep and Kuldeep Yadav, both proven match-winners, have been unfairly sidelined.
"Your champion bowler will look rusty if you don't play him. He deserves to be there. Please play him," he added.
Arshdeep Singh: what's ahead?
With the third T20I scheduled for Sunday, all eyes will be on whether Gambhir's team management brings Arshdeep back into the mix. The left-arm seamer's ability to swing the new ball and deliver at the death could be vital as India look to level the series.
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