Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in expressing his frustration over the exclusion of Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI for India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE. The former India spinner, known for his outspoken views, tore into the team management, led by coach Gautam Gambhir, for leaving out the left-arm pacer despite his impressive record.
Arshdeep, who is India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 99 wickets, was not included in the playing XI against the UAE, and it seems unlikely that he will make a return in the upcoming match against Pakistan. India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that no changes to the winning combination are expected.
Ashwin’s Outrage Over Exclusion
Ashwin made it clear that the decision to leave Arshdeep out of the team was perplexing, especially considering his excellent form and the fact that India went into the match with just one frontline pacer—Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube were the other pace options, but Ashwin emphasized that Arshdeep’s bowling credentials should have earned him a spot.
Speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat,’ Ashwin compared India’s approach to other top teams, who always prioritize the best bowlers. He noted that while batting depth is important in T20 cricket, it shouldn’t come at the expense of leaving out specialist bowlers.
“Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Adil Rashid, and Jofra Archer can all swing the bat, but they’re first and foremost bowlers. Yet, in India, we’re often looking to accommodate players who are batters but can bowl a bit. The focus should be on having quality bowlers, not just all-rounders,” Ashwin explained.
The Need for Arshdeep’s Inclusion
Ashwin argued that Arshdeep Singh should not be sidelined simply because he doesn’t have extensive batting credentials. He stressed that Arshdeep is at the peak of his career, and his bowling form should be fully utilized.
“Arshdeep has to come in. He’s been your best T20 bowler, and he deserves to be locked in the playing XI, just like Shubman Gill is locked in as an opener and Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4,” said Ashwin. “There’s a consistent issue where batters make decisions about bowlers. Batters don’t understand the mindset of bowlers and the confidence they need. If you keep leaving someone like Arshdeep out, think about how it affects his mindset.”
Ashwin Calls for Pride in the Bowling Community
Ashwin’s comments grew even more pointed as he addressed the broader issue of how bowlers are treated in Indian cricket. He expressed his frustration over the management’s fixation on batting depth, which often results in the exclusion of quality bowlers like Arshdeep.
“Why are you writing his destiny just because he can’t bat? This needs to change. If we, as bowlers, don’t take pride in our role, no one will take us seriously. If we’re made to sit out repeatedly, we have every right to be angry,” Ashwin said, urging the bowling community to stand up for themselves and not let batting-centric decisions dictate their fate.
Ashwin’s passionate defense of Arshdeep highlights the need for a balanced approach in selecting the best players, regardless of their batting or bowling status.
Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on Today Cricket Matches!