Former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the head coach Gautam Gambhir on a bowling combination for the Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE. Ashwin expressed surprise at the lapse of left -handed pace Arshdeep Singh, saying that India could not ignore a high quality bowler.
India dropped Arshdeep from Playi XI during their recent match. He chose Jasprit Bumrah as the frontline pacer. Hardik Pandya shared a new ball with Bumrah. Exer Patel, Varun Chakarwardi, and Kuldeep Yadav handled spin bowling, while Shivam Dubey was also used as an additional bowler.
He could play the role of Arshdeep Singh – Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking on ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ravichandran Ashwin said that India’s current bowling balance cannot work in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He said that Gautam Gambhir has opted for additional batting depth and spinners. Ashwin said that India could play the role of Arshdeep Singh in the recent game.
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“This is surprising, but not one new thing because the era of Gautam Gambhir began. Even when the wickets were drying up in the Champions Trophy, they went with a seamar light. They could play Arshdeep. This is a subject that we could see until the T20 World Cup,” said Ashwin.
Arshdeep Singh will really be disappointed – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, like the United Arab Emirates, criticized India’s decision of batting depth against the weak side. Ashwin said that Arshdeep was entitled to a place in Sheel, looking at his performance for India in the format.
“There are two things that are serious and even bending towards Suryakumar (Yadav). One is batting. (But) Do you really need an additional batsman against UAE, and use Shivam Dubey as the fifth bowler?“Ashwin said,
He said, “If I was Arshdeep, I will really be disappointed. He has done well everywhere and was also the number 1 T20 bowler some time ago. He also performed well in the T20 World Cup, which India had recently won,” he said.
Arshadeep Singh is just one wicket away from completing 100 in the format. He played three matches in India’s recent home T20I series against England earlier this year. Singh took an average of 23.00 wickets with an average of 23.00 with an economy rate of 7.88.
Left -handed pacer played an important role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup Triumph, where he emerged as the highest wicket -taker of the tournament with 17 dismissal.
Arshadeep will be upset to ensure – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin said that Arshdeep Singh should be disappointed after leaving. He said that Gautam Gambhir loved his spinners during his KKR days and is supporting that route again.
“Arshdeep will definitely be upset. But I think it is the subject that it is going to the team. The next World Cup is in India, and we have seen how serious, even his KKR Stent, loved his spinners. It seems that he is supporting the path again,” said Ashwin.
After choosing in the first field, India dropped the domestic team for 57 runs in 13.1 overs. The spinners ran through the batting lineup. Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets for 7, while Varun Chakarwarthi and Axar Patel took one wicket with one wicket. Blue men then followed the target in just 4.3 overs.
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