A decision that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world: India controversially benched their top T20I wicket-taker, Arshdeep Singh, for the opening match against Australia in Canberra. The move has ignited widespread debate, especially given the overcast conditions that were perfectly suited for the left-arm pacer’s swing bowling, leaving fans and former cricketers baffled.
India’s Arshdeep Singh (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Despite Arshdeep’s impressive track record as India’s leading T20I wicket-taker, the team management opted for a bowling attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana as primary pacers. This was complemented by a trio of spinners: Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav. This unexpected lineup, particularly the exclusion of Arshdeep under favorable conditions, drew immediate scrutiny and disbelief from both pundits and the passionate fan base.
The backlash was swift and vocal. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) with a succinct, yet powerful, expression of his astonishment: "Arshdeep Singh…". Echoing this sentiment, domestic cricket veteran Priyank Panchal criticized the decision, stating, "Very few teams would dare to bench their highest wicket-taker in a format just months before a World Cup. Arshdeep truly deserves better treatment."
Irfan Pathan post
Priyank Panchal post
This latest omission, sadly, isn’t an isolated incident. The 25-year-old pacer has frequently found himself on the sidelines, often rotated out of the squad despite delivering consistent, impactful performances. Notably, during the recent Asia Cup, Arshdeep was relegated to playing only in inconsequential matches where senior bowlers were rested, highlighting a recurring pattern of questionable selection choices.
Fans unhappy over Arshdeep Singh’s non-selection
Fans unhappy over Arshdeep Singh’s non-selection
At the toss, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won and elected to bowl first. India’s skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, expressed contentment with batting, anticipating the pitch would deteriorate later in the game. Yadav notably remarked, "Bench strength is a headache but a good one to have," acknowledging India’s wealth of talent but also hinting at the difficult selection dilemmas it presents.
However, the elements ultimately decided the match’s fate. After India got off to a promising start, with Abhishek Sharma setting an aggressive tone before his early dismissal, a brief rain delay interrupted play. Upon resumption, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav ignited the innings with a rapid 62-run partnership off just 35 balls. India appeared to be cruising at 97 for 1 after 9.4 overs when the rain returned, heavier this time, forcing the abandonment of the first T20I and leaving both teams, and fans, disappointed.
Despite the match being washed out, the conversation overwhelmingly centered on Arshdeep Singh’s exclusion. With the T20 World Cup merely four months away, this contentious selection decision has intensified discussions about India’s overall strategy and their approach to utilizing their valuable bowling talent.