India kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant nine-wicket win over the UAE, but one selection call left many scratching their heads — the omission of in-form left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh from the Playing XI. Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket, has voiced strong support for Arshdeep’s inclusion in the team.
Arshdeep’s Omission Surprises Experts
In their tournament opener in Dubai, India opted for a spin-heavy bowling attack. The team featured three spinners — Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel — alongside Jasprit Bumrah as the sole frontline pacer. Fast-bowling duties were further supplemented by all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, leaving no room for Arshdeep Singh.
This decision didn’t sit well with Ashwin, who questioned the rationale behind sidelining a bowler of Arshdeep’s calibre. “If you can lock in Shubman Gill as opener, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, and Jasprit Bumrah at No. 11, then why can’t India guarantee a spot for its best T20 bowler?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
The stats back him up. Arshdeep Singh has a better strike rate (13.2) than Jasprit Bumrah (16.9) in T20 internationals and has taken more wickets in the format. His consistency in both the IPL and international cricket highlights his value, making his benching all the more puzzling.
Ashwin Calls for Greater Respect for Bowlers in T20s
Ashwin didn’t mince words when addressing the broader issue of how bowlers are treated in team selections. He pointed out that many such decisions are taken by individuals who have never bowled a ball in their lives, which can affect a bowler’s confidence and development.
“Arshdeep is in his prime. He has worked hard to reach this level and is delivering match-winning performances. These are his golden years — they won’t come back,” Ashwin emphasized. He also noted that Arshdeep was denied a Test debut earlier this year during India’s England tour, despite being part of the squad.
In T20 cricket, where a four-over spell can make or break a game, Ashwin believes that bowlers deserve the same respect and job security as batters. “A player with genuine talent should play, regardless of his batting abilities. It’s not fair to sideline someone just because he isn’t a batter,” he added.
India’s Next Test: High-Stakes Clash Against Pakistan
Despite the Arshdeep debate, India cruised to victory in their opening game, chasing down UAE’s paltry total of 58 with 93 balls to spare. However, a bigger challenge awaits. India’s next match is a high-voltage encounter against Pakistan on September 14 (Sunday), also in Dubai.
With the stakes raised, it remains to be seen whether the team management will reconsider their bowling combination — and whether Arshdeep Singh will finally get his chance to shine on the big stage.
