India's legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the Suryakumar Yadav-led side's move to bench Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI in the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium in Melbourne. The current team management, led by Gautam Gambhir, continues to favour having batting depth, and this has consistently resulted in Arshdeep Singh warming the bench, despite being India's leading wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game.
Ashwin for Arshdeep's exclusion
Ashwin, who is India's second-highest wicket-taker across the three formats, urged the think tank to rethink their strategy, saying that Arshdeep has to be in the playing XI considering his record. Notably, Arshdeep has 101 wickets in 65 T20Is at an average of 18.76. Ashwin reckons that Arshdeep should be India's second speedster in the playing XI after pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
“Arshdeep Singh’s name should be the second name on your fast bowlers’ list if Bumrah is playing. If Bumrah is not playing, Arshdeep becomes your first bowler on that team list. I just cannot understand how Arshdeep Singh keeps missing out on the XI in this side. I don’t really get it," said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin for Harshit Rana's performance
After the first clash ended without result due to rain, Australia defeated India by four wickets to take 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Harshit, who was included in India's playing XI, played a crucial role in batting, scoring 5 runs. However, he leaked runs with the ball as Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh took him down inside the power play.
"Of course, Harshit Rana had a decent day with the bat. He batted decently, but this is not about him at all. It’s about Arshdeep Singh. The performance he put in the T20 World Cup in 2024 was impressive, but since then, he has consistently found ways to stay out of the team. He has been benched so many times that he has lost a bit of rhythm,” added the 39-year-old.
Team India will now look to bounce back in the series during the third T20I of the series, which will take place on November 02 at Ninja Stadium in Bellerive, Australia.