When India take the field against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, one name should be automatic on the team sheet: Arshdeep Singh. Yet surprisingly, the left-arm pacer was left out against UAE for an extra all-rounder, raising eyebrows across the cricketing world.
India’s Top T20 Wicket-Taker
Arshdeep isn’t just another bowler. He is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals, with 99 wickets in just 63 matches. That’s a strike rate few can match. To put it into perspective, his wickets-per-match ratio is better than even Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead. For a bowler so consistent, being benched feels like an odd luxury.
Why Pakistan Should Fear Him
The stats against Pakistan are even more convincing. In just 4 T20Is against them, Arshdeep has taken seven wickets. Importantly, he has never gone wicketless against the Men in Green. Compare that with Bumrah, who has five wickets in the same number of matches. Fans will remember the 2022 T20 World Cup clash at Melbourne, where Virat Kohli’s iconic twin sixes and match-winning knock stole the limelight but Arshdeep’s 3-wicket haul, including scalps of Rizwan and Babar, set the tone for that famous win.
The Selection Dilemma
So why was he left out? India opted for an extra all-rounder in Shivam Dube, who impressed with three wickets against UAE. But Dube is not a specialist bowler, and against Pakistan, India will need more than just part-time breakthroughs. Arshdeep’s left-arm angle, ability to swing the new ball, and skill at the death overs make him indispensable.
Experience That Matters
At just 26, Arshdeep already has big-match pedigree. He has bowled in World Cups, Asia Cups, and under intense pressure against arch-rivals. That kind of experience cannot be replicated overnight. Against Pakistan, where every ball carries weight, his proven record makes him a weapon India can’t afford to keep on the bench.
The Verdict
In a team overflowing with talent, tough calls are inevitable. But some choices are obvious. Arshdeep Singh isn’t just another option, he is India’s Pakistan specialist. Leaving him out could mean gambling with the one bowler who has consistently delivered in this high-voltage rivalry.
When the India-Pakistan clash arrives this Sunday, Arshdeep should be taking the new ball.
