In a recent episode of his YouTube show "Ash Ki Baat," former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin didn't hold back his frustration regarding the treatment of Arshdeep Singh by the Team India management. Ashwin questioned the consistent exclusion of the left-arm pacer from the playing XI, despite his impressive track record in white-ball cricket.
Ashwin's outburst comes amidst ongoing discussions and debates surrounding team selections and player management within the Indian cricket setup. He made his views clear following India's loss to Australia in the second T20I in Melbourne. India were bundled out for a mere 125 runs, a total Australia chased down with ease. This defeat seemingly amplified Ashwin's concerns about the team's strategy and the role of certain players.
The veteran off-spinner didn't mince words when expressing his bewilderment at Arshdeep's repeated omission from the team. He highlighted Arshdeep's stellar performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, questioning why the bowler has been consistently benched since then. Ashwin emphasized that Arshdeep "deserves his place" in the team.
Ashwin argued that if the team management was keen on experimentation, they should have rested Jasprit Bumrah, who has workload management issues, instead of sidelining Arshdeep. He stated that Arshdeep should be the second name on the team list after Bumrah, and if Bumrah is unavailable, Arshdeep should be the automatic first-choice bowler.
"If you want to experiment, then rest Bumrah," Ashwin stated emphatically. "Bumrah is the one with workload management issues. You can rest Bumrah," he added.
Ashwin also pointed out that Arshdeep is currently India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is, having surpassed the 100-wicket mark in his career. Despite this achievement and his proven ability to perform under pressure, Arshdeep has found it difficult to secure a consistent spot in the playing XI.
Ashwin also addressed concerns about Arshdeep's rhythm, noting that the bowler appeared "rusty" during the Asia Cup 2025 due to a lack of game time. He argued that a "champion bowler will start looking rusty if you don't give him game time".
Ashwin's strong words reflect a growing sentiment among cricket fans and experts who believe that Arshdeep Singh is being unfairly sidelined. His exclusion from the first ODI against New Zealand also drew criticism. Ashwin himself questioned the decision on social media, asking, "Where-is-deep Singh?". He also rejected the idea that Arshdeep was being rested, arguing that "resting someone shouldn't be after he gets in the squad". He drew a comparison with Bumrah, who is rested for workload management reasons, which he believes isn't the case with Arshdeep.
It remains to be seen whether Ashwin's public criticism will have any impact on the team management's future decisions regarding Arshdeep Singh. However, his outburst has undoubtedly amplified the debate surrounding team selections and the importance of giving consistent opportunities to deserving players.
