Dubai, Sep 11 (PTI): Pacer Arshdeep Singh last featured in a T20I match a substantial 223 days ago, on January 31, 2025. India played one more match in Mumbai subsequently before gearing up for the Asia Cup opener against the UAE in Dubai.
Arshdeep stands as India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is with an impressive tally of 99 wickets from 63 matches. He is on the brink of becoming the fastest Indian to secure 100 wickets in this format. Yet, unexpectedly, he was not included in the playing XI for the game against the UAE on Wednesday.
During the recent England Test series, he warmed the benches, except for the fourth Test when he was sidelined due to a finger injury. His only game time before the Asia Cup was in North Zone's Duleep Trophy quarter-final against Central Zone, where he didn't appear menacing.
The reasons for Arshdeep's absence in India's playing XI remain unclear. Is it due to a niggle or the team management's strategy of securing batting depth up to No. 8 and choosing three specialist spinners? Arshdeep was expected to be an automatic choice against the UAE in the Asia Cup opener, but much to the surprise of many, he was replaced by the third specialist spinner, Varun Chakravarthy.
The team management has not clarified whether Arshdeep was carrying a niggle. If that were the case, a replacement would likely have been summoned by now. Arshdeep spent considerable time with strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux on the eve of the opening game during the Indian team's net session at the ICC Academy.
As Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav opted to rest for the opening game, Arshdeep, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel were present as the frontline bowlers in the optional session. However, instead of bowling, Arshdeep focused on his batting skills and engaged in numerous fitness drills under the supervision of Le Roux and bowling coach Morne Morkel.
He performed short sprints, sprint repeats, and strides for nearly an hour, occasionally appearing as if he was following 'Return to Play' fitness protocols. If it were solely a fitness issue, physio Kamlesh Jain would have monitored the session, which was not the case.
A source informed PTI on the condition of anonymity, "Arsh is a bundle of energy. He is a compulsive training freak. One need not read much into his routines. He had recently aced the Bronco Test (Sprint Repeats) at the NCA."
Combination Conundrum
This situation raises questions about team composition and could potentially result in Arshdeep missing more games heading into the T20 World Cup, a tournament to be held in the sub-continent, including India and Sri Lanka.
Coach Gautam Gambhir is known for prioritizing batting depth till No. 8 and utilizing at least three frontline spinners on slow pitches. This strategy proved effective during the 50-over Champions Trophy in Dubai, where India employed four specialist spinners — Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy — in the final against New Zealand.
Given that most Asian batters struggle to read Kuldeep and Varun, and Axar's batting potential at No. 8 could be advantageous in close games, Arshdeep's prospects might be limited unless Gambhir makes an exception for the game against Pakistan.
In the 50-over match at this venue, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami were supported by all-rounder Hardik Pandya against Pakistan, but Bumrah absent in that tournament and the preceding T20 series against England facilitated Arshdeep's inclusion.
With Bumrah returning as the primary speedster and Varun being India's top T20 spinner last season, the 'young turbanator' may have to endure this situation, focusing on training and maintaining fitness. Until India is confident they can win international matches across formats with seven quality batters, either Kuldeep or pacer Arshdeep may continue to miss games.
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