India's coach breaks silence on Arshdeep Singh's exclusion from playing XI for Asia Cup 2025 clash against UAE, says 'there is no agenda...'

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opened up on the team's decision not to pick Arshdeep Singh in the Suryakumar Yadav-led side's playing XI for the team's Asia Cup 2025 clash against the UAE at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The majority of fans and experts predicted that the Punjab-born pacer would be seen in action alongside pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the team's tournament opener.

However, India opted for Jasprit Bumrah as the only specialist speedster, with Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya used as part-time options to go with three spin options. When asked about Arshdeep's exclusion from playing XI, Kotak said that there is no agenda when it comes to such decisions.

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"Because, the first discussion we have with the head coach and the captain is that obviously, these 15 are like this, everyone deserves to play," Kotak told reporters.

"If any player is not playing, it will be difficult for him because he will feel missed out. But, at the end of the day, it's a team sport. So, everyone knows that there is no agenda, there is no personal liking, disliking.

"Whatever is best for the team, captain and head coach will decide and do that. And I don't think there is any doubt in anybody's mind. So, whoever is not playing, they are always trying to help the guys who are playing," he added.

Arshdeep Singh's T20I career

Arshdeep Singh has played 63 T20Is, where he managed to pick up 99 wickets with a best bowling figure of 5/37. The speedster's last T20I outing came against England on January 31, 2025, before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Punjab-based pacer was a part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, where he played a crucial role for the side to win their second T20 World Cup title after 17 years. He was the second-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps in 8 outings.