Arshdeep Singh was ready to become the first Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in T20I cricket. The left-arm pacer was the highest wicket-taker for the Men in Blue in the last two T20 World Cups in 2022 and 2024. In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Arshdeep had become the leader of the pace pack.
But in India’s Asia Cup opener against UAE, he hasn’t been picked. The move might seem shocking to some, but it’s actually an expected one. Since Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav took over in July last year, they have opted for batting depth and a variety of bowling options.
Often, they have gone with just three frontline bowlers. Five batters, three all-rounders, and all bowlers have been their set pattern. This happened in the last T20I series against England as well. Even there, only one fast bowler played with two spinners, finding spots.
Arshdeep Singh dropped in Asia Cup opener
Then came the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was also played in the UAE. Although the format was different, Team India went with the same lineup. Mohammed Shami was India’s lone pacer, but both Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav were playing.
The same has happened now. Arshdeep has missed out, as the Men in Blue don’t wish to play more than one frontline pacer, and with Bumrah there, Arshdeep can’t get in. If the left-arm pacer has to get into the side, one of two things needs to happen.
The first scenario would be if Bumrah is rested or injured. The second is where one of Varun or Kuldeep is dropped. The latter would mean that the surface will offer more help to fast bowlers. This isn’t likely to happen in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but the management will take the required call depending on the pitch.
India Playing XI vs UAE
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
Bench: Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana
