Ashwin Raises Questions About Arshdeep Singh's Absence
New Zealand secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at Rajkot. Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten on 131, while Will Young contributed 87 runs. The Indian bowling attack appeared largely ineffective throughout the match.
This performance has sparked serious discussions about team selection. Many are questioning why pacer Arshdeep Singh continues to sit out of the playing eleven.
The Missing Left-Arm Option
India's current bowling lineup lacks a quality left-arm fast bowler. Arshdeep Singh brings exactly that dimension to the team. He possesses the ability to swing the new ball effectively and take crucial early wickets.
With the older ball, he demonstrates excellent control. He consistently bowls in the blockhole during death overs, restricting batsmen's scoring opportunities.
Ashwin's Public Support
During the first ODI in Vadodara, Ravichandran Ashwin took to social media with a pointed question. The veteran off-spinner simply posted: "Where-is-deep Singh?"
This post resonated with countless Indian cricket fans who share similar concerns about team selection.
Recent Performance Comparison
Arshdeep Singh delivered impressive performances during India's recent ODI series against South Africa. He claimed five wickets across three matches while maintaining an economical rate of 5.5 runs per over.
Meanwhile, the pacers selected ahead of him in the current New Zealand series have struggled with their economy rates:
- Harshit Rana has conceded runs at 6.39 per over
- Prasidh Krishna has gone for 7.80 runs per over
In Vadodara, Prasidh gave away 60 runs in nine overs while taking two wickets. Rana conceded 65 runs from his ten overs. During the Rajkot match, Prasidh took one wicket for 49 runs in nine overs. Rana claimed one wicket while giving up 52 runs in 9.3 overs.
The Workload Management Argument
One fan responded to Ashwin's post suggesting Arshdeep might be resting since he's part of the T20 World Cup squad. India has indeed rested key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for this series to keep them fresh for the upcoming global tournament.
However, Ashwin firmly rejected this logic. He explained his perspective clearly: "Resting someone shouldn't be after he gets in the squad. Resting means he gets rested like Bumrah."
The experienced spinner emphasized the importance of maintaining rhythm through consistent play. He noted that extended breaks can negatively impact a bowler's performance regardless of how much cricket they've played recently.
A Cricketer's Perspective
Ashwin spoke from personal experience when advocating for Arshdeep. "I have been in this position, so I know how it is," he stated. "This is why I am fighting for Arshdeep Singh."
He highlighted Arshdeep's consistent performances whenever given opportunities. "Whenever you have given him the ball, he has performed for you," Ashwin reminded everyone. He urged the team management to allow the young pacer to "walk into the XI with his head held high."
Current Form and Selection Dilemma
Arshdeep entered this series with excellent momentum. He claimed a five-wicket haul against Sikkim in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, taking five wickets for just 34 runs. He followed this with another strong performance against Jaipur, finishing with figures of 2/26.
Despite this form, he has been limited to net sessions during the ongoing series against New Zealand.
Team selectors might prefer Harshit Rana because he can contribute useful runs batting at number eight. Arshdeep represents the traditional tailender who focuses primarily on bowling.
As India prepares for the crucial series decider on Sunday, they face an important decision. If they want to secure victory, they may need to seriously consider including a strike bowler of Arshdeep's caliber in their playing eleven.
