Aakash Chopra, Lalchand Rajput baffled as India leave out Arshdeep Singh: 'He has better numbers than Jasprit Bumrah'

Former India cricketers Aakash Chopra and Lalchand Rajput expressed surprise as Team India did not include pacer Arshdeep Singh in their playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which they won by nine wickets in Dubai on Wednesday. With 99 wickets at an average of 18.30 in 63 matches, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is.

But the 26-year-old fast bowler was put on the bench as India went into the match with two specialist spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy – and only one specialist pacer in Jasprit Bumrah. India’s other bowling options were all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel.

Chopra, Rajput baffled as India leave out Arshdeep

UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput, a former India batter, pointed out that Arshdeep’s missing out on India’s playing XI only shows the depth that the Men in Blue carry, as he sent a warning to other teams in the Asia Cup.

“World champions will crush teams. It was good till powerplay but once spinners started operating, it changed. There was not much turn but if it’s Kuldeep and Varun, even top batters struggle against them,” Rajput said.

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“Also, if Arshdeep can’t make it to playing eleven, it tells you about the (Indian) team’s depth.”

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Former India opener Aakash Chopra was more critical as he pointed out that Arshdeep has better numbers than Bumrah, yet India are employing the same tactics they used during the victorious Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in Dubai, which was an ODI tournament.

“I think it has a Champions Trophy hangover in this playing XI, that was March, that was dusty, I have never seen that square as dry as I saw in March in Dubai. But this is September and they have gone with the same tactic, albeit in a different format," Chopra told ESPNCricinfo.

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“Is that actually the way India are going to plan? You have to pick your best team. Arshdeep Singh. 99 wickets, Arshdeep Singh has got more wickets, better numbers than Jasprit Bumrah in T20s for India," Chopra added.

All eyes will be on India’s playing XI in their next match, which is against Pakistan on Sunday at the same venue.