India may have started their ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a win over the UAE, but the exclusion of Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI took everyone by surprise. The left-arm pacer, who already has 99 T20I wickets to his name, was just one scalp away from becoming India’s first-ever bowler to reach the 100 mark in the format. Instead, he was left warming the bench while Shivam Dube slotted in as the third seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
That move hasn’t gone down well with Ravichandran Ashwin, who has openly questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir’s tactics ahead of India’s much-awaited clash against Pakistan on September 14.
Arshdeep’s batting > Dube’s bowling?
On his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin made it clear that India can’t afford to sacrifice a proven wicket-taker for batting depth.
“I am not sure Shivam Dube is your third seamer. This is not about Shivam Dube. This is about having a quality bowler in your lineup. I agree that batting depth is important in T20s. Just look at the other teams, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer, they all can swing the bat. Actually, these teams have worked on the batting of those who are proper bowlers. But only in India do we think about those players who are batters but can bowl a bit. Actually, it should be the reverse.”
Also, Ashwin made an interesting point. He argues that instead of expecting batters to roll their arms over in order to give you many options, he suggested that the Gambhir-led management should inspire bowlers to be better at batting. That way, you don’t sacrifice the quality of batting and even fulfil the desire to elongate the batting lineup. Players like Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Arshdeep Singh all have some talents and are no mugs with the bats. Ashwin further reminded fans that Arshdeep has proven himself with both ball and bat.
“Arshdeep Singh has shown that he can throw the bat. He has displayed his batting credentials,” Ashwin said. He added, “Arshdeep has to come in… He is in a purple patch and bowling well. He is not going to get these wonderful years back.”
“If we are made to sit out, we should be angry”
The veteran off-spinner also urged India’s bowlers not to take being benched lightly. “If we are made to sit out, then we should be angry,” Ashwin remarked.
His frustration was also felt when he namedropped Gambhir in the review of the India vs UAE match. So far in 2025, Arshdeep has played just one series for India. It was the five-match series against England before the ICC Champions Trophy. He picked up four wickets in 3 T20Is and two in an ODI. That was it. He travelled to Dubai for the Champions Trophy but the likes of Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami played over him. Fascinatingly, Arshdeep was also part of India’s long tour of England for five Tests but he couldn’t find a place there as well. India flew in Anshul Kamboj, who wasn’t part of the initial squad but Arshdeep didn’t find a chance.
Arshdeep was benched in favour of a stronger batting lineup, despite being India’s top wicket-taker. With only three specialist bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy, the team rely on all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube. Dube’s impressive performance, including a career-best 3/4 against UAE, might further delay Arshdeep’s return to the team.
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