Follow UsNot many expected Arshdeep Singh to be left out of India’s playing XI for their Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE in Dubai, but that’s exactly what happened on September 10 (Wednesday).
India went with three spinners - Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel - alongside just one frontline seamer in Jasprit Bumrah. As a result, India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, Arshdeep, missed out, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube included as fast-bowling all-rounders.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra suggested that the team management may still be influenced by their Champions Trophy (CT) 2025 strategy. India had played all their CT 2025 games in Dubai in February and March with the combination of four spinners, going on to win the tournament unbeaten.
“I think it has a Champions Trophy hangover in this playing XI, that was March, that was dusty, I have never seen that square as dry as I saw in March in Dubai. But, this is September, but they have gone with the same tactic, albeit in a different format. Is that actually the way India are going to plan? You have to pick your best team,” Chopra said on ESPNCricinfo.
He added: “Arshdeep Singh. 99 wickets, Arshdeep Singh has got more wickets, better numbers than Jasprit Bumrah in T20s for India.”
While Arshdeep may boast more wickets and a better strike rate (13.2 vs 16.9) than Bumrah, the latter remains far more economical (8.29 vs 6.27), especially given his role bowling in the death overs.
Making his first T20I appearance since the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, Bumrah delivered 1/19 in three overs as India demolished the UAE by nine wickets with 93 deliveries to spare.