India left out Arshdeep Singh and went with just one full-time pacer in Jasprit Bumrah in their Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE. (PTI Photo)Arshdeep Singh being left out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was among the more surprising elements of their squad for the match. In the end, it mattered little as India steamrolled UAE in Dubai, racing to the paltry target of 58 in just 4.3 overs with nine wickets to spare. India went with just one full-time pacer in Jasprit Bumrah and former opener Aakash Chopra feels that they seem to be going with the formula that worked for them earlier this year in the Champions Trophy that was also played in the UAE.
“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,” Chopra said on ESPNCricinfo. “But, this is September, but they have gone with the same tactic, albeit in a different format. Is that actually the way India are going to plan? You have to pick your best team.”
Arshdeep has been pivotal to India’s success in T20Is for the past couple of years and is also the record wicket-taker for the country in the format. He is also one strike away from becoming the first Indian to take 100 T20I wickets. “Arshdeep Singh. 99 wickets, Arshdeep Singh has got more wickets, better numbers than Jasprit Bumrah in T20s for India,” said Chopra.
UAE coach Lalchand Rajput had said after the match on Wednesday that the fact that Arshdeep was left out shows the quality and depth that India have at their dispossal. Kuldeep Yadav foxed the inexperienced UAE batters to end with a match-winning four-wicket haul. UAE had a fairly good start but Jasprit Bumrah (1/19) and Varun Chakaravrthy’s (1/4) powerplay strikes started their collapse. Shivam Dube (3/4) also played his part in the demolition job that the Indian bowlers did in the middle overs, as did Axar Patel (1/13).
“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. Also, if Arshdeep can’t make it to playing eleven, it tells you about the (Indian) team’s depth,” said Rajput.
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