India’s decision to leave Arsheep Singh out of the XI opener in his Asia Cup 2025 opener has ignited a storm of debate among cricket experts and former cricketers.
Despite being one of India’s most dangerous T20 bowlers, Arshdeep Singh was sidelined as India had selected only for a pacery, Jasprit Bumrah, who had supporting hands of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dubey.
Surprisingly, he went with three spinners- Kuldeep Yadav, Axer Patel, and Varun Chakraborty- to bat till number 8. The move, paid as India, beat the UAE by nine wickets, but Arshdeep Singh’s boycott did not sit well with many people.
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Murali Karthik questioned India’s selection after Arshdeep Singh’s shock
Recently, Murali Karthik could not hide his disappointment as he said it was how shocking it was that such a promising bowler, who is known for his speed and swing, was not only ignored in this Asia Cup 2025 game, but also in the recent Test series in England, where the situation shouted for pace.
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Murali Karthik said on the cricbz, “I am trying to think about this team, is I a way to fit Arshdeep Singh? He is great to remember a bowler. He is quite sitting outsideI felt that he was going to play because he is one of the most wickets in T20Is. This has not happened today. I hope that when he is bowling well, he is not going to the store. ,
I will take Shivam Dubey out for Arshdeep Singh: Murali Karthik
Karthik made a bold suggestion to do Shivam Dubey by playing. With the all -round capabilities of Axar Patel, India can lose a batsman and give Arshadeep a place. He argued that a more balanced lineup with a strong bowling attack could provide India a better combination.
The former Indian cricketer further explained, “I will take Shivam Dubey out. Because Exer Patel gives both of you. He can be a floater. He can play big shotsExer can also play against seam bowling. ,
If you are keeping Shivam Dubey mainly to play spinners, I think he is probably ruined. If I can find Arshdeep, and perhaps a batsman low, the responsibility increases, and you have found a quality bowling attack which is well round. ,
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Harsh Bhogle also shared his views on the debate. He questioned the argument of batting deeply at the cost of bowling power, indicating that the team’s approach could be cloudy by the conference instead of performing. Bhogle Felt that Shivam could make way for Dubey Arshadeep,
Harsh Bhogle has given strict warning to Gautam Gambhir and India
Bhogle also admitted that the presence of Exer is important for any spin-dark attack. But he also warned that Arshadeep’s talent should not be ruined, it is too late before rethinking their strategies with select people, as they are gearing up for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Harsha Bhogle said, “My view is that Axar Patel goes every single day. Also, if you are going to be spin-centered, you also want his overs. So, if you want Arshadeep Singh, then the only person who is Shivam Dub, or you can play Sanju Samson at the age of 3 and you can not play Tilak Varma at the age of 3.”
He suggested that India should go with seven batting options, but Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir want to bat till number 8. Bhogle signed saying, “So, I am afraid that Arshdeep is going to be on the fringe.”
