Follow UsA bowler of Arshdeep Singh’s quality would usually be one of the first names in the team sheet for most teams, but a combination of team India’s strength in depth and tactics has meant that the left-arm pacer has been a backup in Asia Cup 2025.
Arshdeep was part of the ‘rotated XI’ India fielded in the Oman clash on September 19 (Friday), but he did not play the first two games of the competition, including the Pakistan clash in Dubai. The 26-year-old’s spot in the side remains uncertain heading into the Super Four stage, where he is once again expected to drop to the bench.
However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants Arshdeep to play, as he believes neither Hardik Pandya nor Shivam Dube could be trusted under pressure with the ball, particularly at the death.
"I will stick to my words, what I said before the start of the Asia Cup. I would want to see Arshdeep play with (Jasprit) Bumrah because a situation could come where you might need a second fast bowler," Pathan said, reported Times of India.
"When the ball gets wet and you are under pressure, is Hardik's (Pandya) strength bowling six yorkers, or can Shivam Dube bowl those yorkers consistently?,” he asked.
However, the former all-rounder admitted that it’d be a very tough call for the management to disrupt a winning combination just to fit in Arshdeep. All three spinners India have fielded - Kuldeep, Varun and Axar - have been flawless and have choked opponents.
"There will be a question there. That's why, can you think about Arshdeep? However, it's difficult to change a team that's been playing and winning. You wouldn't want to play a batter less as well. It's a tough decision. I would have done differently, but the team is thinking differently," he said.
In the Oman clash, Arshdeep became the first Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in T20Is.