A storm is brewing in the new era of Indian cricket, as former player says Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly expressed his frustration at the constant omission of Arshdeep Singh of India’s recent T20I lineups.
Since then Gautama Gambhir took over as head coach, the team’s selection strategy has come under scrutiny and Ashwin’s strong words have only intensified the debate.
Arshdeep, India’s leading T20I wicket-taker and the first Indian to surpass the 100-wicket mark in the format, finds himself sidelined despite being instrumental in the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. His ability to swing the new ball and dominate at the death made him India’s preferred pacer during the crucial stages, but the new regime’s preference for batting depth has left him warming the bench. The absence of the 26-year-old player in the eleven Australiaespecially after an exceptional World Cup campaign, it has provoked widespread disbelief.
R. Ashwin questions Gautam Gambhir’s logic and strategy and team management
Ashwin did not mince his words when taking on the current team management led by Gambhir, highlighting his decision-making in the recent T20I selections. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin claimed that Arshdeep’s name should automatically follow Jasprit Bumrahis in any discussion about the T20 team, emphasizing that the left-arm pacer’s exclusion makes little sense given his track record. He noted that Arshdeep, with 101 wickets in 65 T20Is at an average of 18.76, has repeatedly performed under pressure, both in the powerplay and at the death.
However, in the second T20I against Australia in Melbourne, India opted for a spin-heavy lineup, delivering Harshit Rana a place While Rana contributed 35 useful runs, his costly spell allowed Australia’s top flight to take control. He warned that keeping a proven match winner on the sidelines risks damaging his pace and confidence, remembering that even bowling champions can get rusty without regular match exposure.
‘Arshdeep Singh’s name should be the second name in your list of fast bowlers if Bumrah is playing. If Bumrah does not play, Arshdeep becomes his first bowler in that team’s roster. I just can’t understand how Arshdeep Singh keeps missing out on this side’s XI. “I really don’t understand it.” Ashwin said.
“Of course, Harshit Rana had a decent day with the bat. He batted decently, but this is not about him at all. This is about Arshdeep Singh. The performance he had in the T20 World Cup in 2024 was impressive, but since then, he has constantly found ways to stay out of the team. He has been benched so many times that he has lost a bit of rhythm.” the 39-year-old added.
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Arshdeep Singh’s continued omission raises wider concerns
Beyond individual criticisms, Ashwin’s comments point to a deeper problem: a philosophical disconnect within India’s new think tank. Since taking over, Gambhir’s focus has been on strengthening the batting depth and introducing new faces, but that focus has come at the cost of ignoring an in-form specialist. Arshdeep’s prolonged absence, despite being India’s most consistent T20 bowler, has become a symbol of the uncomfortable balance between experimentation and performance-based selection.
His struggles to gain playing time were already evident during the Asian Cup 2025where he looked a little rusty after a long spell on the bench, something Ashwin highlighted as a direct consequence of poor rotation. The veteran stressed that keeping such a key player out sends the wrong message to the locker room, where players may begin to question the quintessential reward system.
“We saw him in the Asia Cup, he bowled well, he came back very well in the spell, but he looked rusty. Your champion bowler will look rusty if you don’t play against him. So it’s a really tough situation if you’re Arshdeep Singh, and I really hope he starts getting the place he deserves. He deserves to be there, and it’s not about someone else. He has a place in the team. Please play with him.” Ashwin concluded.
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