Irfan Pathan, a former all-rounder for India, wants Arshdeep to play because he thinks neither Shivam Dube nor Hardik Pandya can be relied upon while the ball is in play, especially at the end.
Most teams would normally list a bowler of Arshdeep Singh’s calibre among their first names on the squad sheet, but because of India’s depth and strategy, the left-arm pacer has been used as a backup in the Asia Cup 2025.
Arshdeep did not participate in the competition’s opening two games, including the match against Pakistan in Dubai, but he was a member of the “rotated XI” that India used in the match against Oman on Friday, September 19. Going into the Super Four stage, the 26-year-old’s position in the team is still up in the air as he is once again anticipated to start on the bench.
“I will honour the statements I made before to the Asia Cup commencing. According to the Times of India, Irfan Pathan stated, “I would like to watch Arshdeep play with (Jasprit) Bumrah because there may be a time when you need a second fast bowler.”
“Is Hardik’s (Pandya) strength bowling six yorkers when the ball gets wet and you are under pressure, or can Shivam Dube bowl those yorkers consistently?” he enquired.
The former all-rounder acknowledged that the management would have a difficult time breaking apart a winning combination in order to make room for Arshdeep. India’s three spinners, Varun, Axar, and Kuldeep, have all been excellent and have suffocated opponents.
“A question will be asked there. Can you therefore consider Arshdeep? But a team that has been playing and winning is hard to replace. Playing a batter less would not be desirable. It’s a difficult choice.
“The team is thinking differently, but I would have done differently,” Irfan Pathan stated.
Arshdeep became the first bowler from India to take 100 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals during the match against Oman.
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