Former India pacer Irfan Pathan has urged India to start left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in place of one of the two pace all-rounders, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya, for the big Super-Four clash against Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup on Sunday. He believes that the match can present situations where the team would require a specialist pacer, where Dube and Pandya might not be able to provide the required skillset.
Arshdeep is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with a CV that includes several excellent performances in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, in the spinning conditions of the UAE, the Men in Blue have chosen a combination with only one frontline pacer in Jasprit Bumrah, alongside two spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy,
and three all-rounders: Dube, Pandya, and Axar Patel.
The team picked Arshdeep in the final group stage clash against Oman, resting Chakaravarthy, but that seemed more of a one-time thing. Arshdeep also didn’t have a particularly impressive outing, taking one wicket for 37 runs.
“I will stick to my words, what I said before the start of the Asia Cup,” Pathan said, as quoted by The Times of India. “I would want to see Arshdeep play with Bumrah because a situation could come where you might need a second fast bowler. When the ball gets wet and you are under pressure, is Hardik’s strength bowling six yorkers, or can Shivam Dube bowl those yorkers consistently?” he added.
Pathan admitted that the decision isn’t a straightforward one because it would compromise the team’s batting depth.
“There will be a question there. That’s why, can you think about Arshdeep? However, it’s difficult to change a team that’s been playing and winning. You wouldn’t want to play a batter less as well. It’s a tough decision. I would have done differently, but the team is thinking differently,” he said.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the game between India and Pakistan. The pitches here have generally been significantly leaned towards spin and Sunday isn’t expected to be any different.
