Indian cricket fans were furious as Arshdeep Singh was once again dropped in place of Harshit Rana in the shorter format of the game. Arshdeep Singh was forced to sit on the bench as Rana got the nod for the opening match of the five-match T20I series against Australia on Wednesday, October 29.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav went with Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah as his fast bowling specialists, while Kuldeep Yadav led the spin attack along with Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel. Shivam Dubey will provide support to Rana and Bumrah in Canberra.
Arshdeep Singh again entered the field for Harshit Rana.
Suryakumar has not given any specific reason behind Arshdeep’s exclusion from India XI, but has indicated that he has chosen the team as per the circumstances and every player knows his role. Notably, Arshdeep last played a T20 match for India in the Asia Cup 2025 against Sri Lanka.
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Speaking at the toss, Suryakumar Yadav said, “Big headache, yes. It’s a good headache. It’s not a bad headache. It’s a good headache. But yes, it’s good to have so many options. The guys who are missing are Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy.”
Here is how fans reacted to Arshdeep Singh’s snub:
WTF!!!!
Arshdeep Singh, who is India’s all-time highest wicket-taker in T2OI and has performed well wherever he has played, has been dropped from Team India’s XI again for KKR’s parchi Harshit Rana!!!!
Harshit can take Pfeiffer here but it would not be appropriate. What did Arsh do with dumb Gambhir?? pic.twitter.com/sBQmlVCqN3
– Rajeev (@Rajeev1841) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep Singh- There is a place for Harshit Rana, the bowler who took the highest wicket for India in T20. pic.twitter.com/yGdYZBxqlv
– Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep Singh >>> Farzi Rana any day pic.twitter.com/QRtbK0gnNq
– Krishna (@iiamkrshn) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep Singh not in first T20
The bowler who took the most wickets for India in T20 is not in the playing eleven. Goat Harshit Rana is playing in place of Arshdeep Singh. Wow coach Gautam Gambhir.
Politics Gautam Gambhir’s bias..!! pic.twitter.com/gZRxY0S22y
– Vikas (@Vikas662005) 29 October 2025
It is a ridiculous decision by Gautam Gambhir to play Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh.
Now Gautam Gambhir has crossed all limits. pic.twitter.com/vOlLMBORCX
– Abhishek Kumar (@abhishek060722) 29 October 2025
Harshit Rana beats Arshdeep Singh in T20i, this is too much now. Team management cannot spoil the career of any cricketer to make the career of someone else.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/STLu30BnNq
– Fantasy Dominator (@akhandsharma9) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep Singh was removed in place of Harshit Rana!!
Even if Rana takes 5 wickets today but how can you leave your best T20 bowler man, politician GG Yug #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/K8TbpprzRc
– Navneet (@MSDian067) 29 October 2025
I don’t understand the logic of Harshit Rana playing ahead of Arshdeep Singh in any format.. Can anyone explain this to me..?? #AUSvIND
– Pratik Jain (@drpraktikjain) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep Singh out in first T20I against Australia
– Arshdeep who is India’s all-time highest wicket taker in T20I has been performing very well but he was dropped from the playing eleven of Team India and KKR parchi Harshit Rana was included.
– Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav are… pic.twitter.com/VSB2pv3RBH
– Manu. (@IMManu_18) 29 October 2025
Wow, you are playing Harshit Rana in the playing 11 before Arshdeep Singh, India’s best bowler in T20. Unreal Politics B.C. . pic.twitter.com/xsQVCZHxip
– ShuhidAufridi (@ShuhidAufridi) 29 October 2025
It is a ridiculous decision by Gautam Gambhir to play Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh.
Now Gautam Gambhir has crossed all limits. pic.twitter.com/vOlLMBORCX
– Abhishek Kumar (@abhishek060722) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep Singh under Gambhir’s coaching:
– Was ruled out of T20I vs England
– Omitted from ODI vs England
– Benched in the Champions Trophy; Priority to Harshit Rana
– Harshit Rana, sitting on the bench again in the England series, played ahead.
Harshit Rana was given preference in ODI and T-20 against Australia. pic.twitter.com/pJOcfaA1Gd-Aditya (@Wxtreme10) 29 October 2025
shame on @GautamGambhir
You ruined Arshdeep Singh’s T20 career,
Harshit Rana on Arshdeep Singh
Harshit Rana overtook Kuldeep Yadav?
Why MDC? #INDvAUS– Inside Edge Cricket (@rj_tweets99) 29 October 2025
Once again Harshit Rana got a place in the playing 11. Arshdeep Singh sidelined without any reason..!! This is really sad..!! @GautamGambhir
– D_Nandan A_N_ (@noth_ing29) 29 October 2025
Harshit Rana on Arshdeep Singh??? GG, you are making fun of a coach!!! #INDvsAUS #AUSvsIND #AUSvIND #INDvAUS #TeamIndia
– woodbizarr (@__beinghooman__) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep will not play again today!
fuck serious– Prabhleen Singh (@prabhohan) 29 October 2025
This MDC Gambhir ruined Arshdeep’s good career.
– Kohlination (@urstanmay_05) 29 October 2025
Arshdeep ousted again? FK on Gambhir’s ball.
– Wicked Wicket (@kanchan77359501) 29 October 2025
Playing XI for 1st India vs Australia T20I:
India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia XI: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnman, Josh Hazlewood.
to be continued…
