Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed dissent over Arshdeep Singh’s exclusion from Team India’s playing XI. In India’s opening Asia Cup 2025 game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai,
India didn’t induct the speedster. Instead of him, the team management gave a chance to Kuldeep Yadav to reinforce the spin-bowling department, noting the Dubai pitch’s record of assisting turners. Arshdeep has been part of India’s every campaign this year but didn’t get a chance in the playing XI during the crucial tournaments such Champions Trophy 2025 and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
However, after noting Arshdeep’s omission from the 11-member squad against the UAE, Ashwin looked concerned and highlighted the fact that under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership, it’s been happening as India's former top-order batter focuses on fortifying the spin-bowling attack. "It's surprising that Arshdeep has been dropped, but it's not a new thing. Has been happening since Gautam Gambhir started coaching. Arshdeep did not play the entire Champions Trophy as well. It has been a bit of a theme. Maybe considering Dubai conditions, they are preferring spinners. When Gambhir won the title for KKR, he was also going all-out on spin," said Ashwin on his YouTube. channel.
R Ashwin feels Arshdeep Singh should play against Pakistan
Ravichandran Ashwin believes Arshdeep Singh will be needed by the Men in Blue against Pakistan on September 14. "The rest of the bowlers will be targeted, so you need a good bowler to get through those overs. The World Cup looks a bit far away now. But you never know, if you can't fix these combinations... Arshdeep is high quality and you have to play him." added Ashwin.
This year, Arshdeep has played three T20Is, in which he has bagged four wickets at a frugal economy of 7.88. Discussing his numbers against Pakistan in the shortest form of the sport, he has picked seven wickets in four contests at an economy of 7.85.
