India’s unbeaten run in the Asia Cup 2025 faces its biggest test yet, as Suryakumar Yadav’s side pysch up for the final showdown against Pakistan in Dubai. The arch-rivals, meeting for the third time in three weeks, are set to contest the Asia Cup final for the very first time in history. Going into the game, India will have a selection headache. Arshdeep Singh, who is playing only dead rubber matches, has showcased what he can bring to the table. He delivered a death bowling masterclass in the last game against Sri Lanka.
The 26-year-old pacer made a compelling case in India’s last Super Four fixture. Thrust into the Super Over, Arshdeep delivered ice-cool death bowling, conceding just two runs while picking up two wickets, sealing India’s win in emphatic style. Earlier in the tournament, he also became the fastest pacer and the first Indian to reach 100 T20I wickets in just 64 matches. But with India leaning heavily on a spin attack, and with Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya as frontline pacers, his inclusion has not always been guaranteed. Also, the desire to have a proper batter at number eight has dusted Arshdeep’s chances.
Arshdeep Singh or not?
That, however, is not a debate in R Ashwin’s mind. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, the former off-spinner threw his weight firmly behind Arshdeep.
“I’ll say this even with my glasses on! Even if you wake me up from deep sleep, my answer won’t change: Arshdeep must play. How many runs will the number 8 batsman make? Not too many, and you don’t need that many. And for the World Cup in six months, work on Arshdeep’s batting, work on Varun Chakravarthy’s batting, Bumrah can already hit a bit, decent bat swing. The batting coach needs to give more time to these guys.”
India’s batting depth has often been cited as the reason for preferring Shivam Dube, but Ashwin believes death bowling is a far greater priority in a high-pressure clash. The 38-year-old also said that if Hardik Pandya remains unfit for the final, it could open a gateway for Arshdeep to be in the XI.
“The way Arshdeep bowled, he proved again why we keep saying on this channel that Arshdeep is needed. Once more, he proved it. So, in many ways, if Hardik doesn’t play, India will have to play Arshdeep. So, for India, Hardik is necessary, but this is one of those situations where it could also be good, because Arshdeep will get played and can again show why he’s that important bowler for India.”
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