Arshdeep Singh, Who Was Dropped Despite Consistent Results, Sends a Message to Team Management With Sensational Outing Against Australia in Hobart

The only Indian bowler to have taken over 100 wickets in the shortest format, Arshdeep Singh's selection in India's T20I XI is easily justified.

Arshdeep Singh, Who Was Dropped Despite Consistent Results, Sends a Message to Team Management With Sensational Outing Against Australia in Hobart

Arshdeep Singh picked up a three-wicket haul pn his return to the playing XI, against Australia. (via India Today)

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Ace Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh made a stunning return to the T20I playing XI, recording his best figures against Australia in the third match of the ongoing series. Singh’s performance sent a tough message to the team management, who have often omitted him despite consistent results. 

Arshdeep Singh has been India’s premier fast bowler in the shortest format, since his international debut in November 2022. The Punjab-born left-arm pacer is the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is, with a record 104 scalps in 66 matches at a remarkable average of 18.55. Singh was a pivotal figure in India’s 2024 ICC T20 World Cup triumph, where he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps.

Singh’s brilliance in the shortest format was well received by fans and critics alike, as he was named the ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Year for 2024. Despite the brilliant numbers and accolades, he has seen his stakes fall under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir has shown an uncanny preference for young Harshit Rana, who has been preferred over Singh due to his additional batting abilities, keeping the Punjab pacer out of the bench. 

The 26-year-old was a part of the Men in Blues’ 2025 Asia Cup squad, but was only picked to play in two out of the seven matches. In the ongoing T20I series against Australia, Singh was once again left out of the playing XI for the first two matches, with Gambhir surprisingly opting for three spinners on a pitch that offered pace and bounce, leaving fans and former players in disarray. However, a disappointing defeat in Melbourne meant that Singh received a go-ahead for the third T20I in Hobart. 

Singh justified his selection in the playing XI by picking up the crucial wickets of Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis, to finish with figures of 3/35 in his four-over spell. The Punjab Kings star showed off his brilliance both in the powerplay as well as in the death overs. His impactful display was a message to the management, as they faced scrutiny for dropping India’s most valuable T20I bowler. 

Thanks to Arshdeep Singh’s bowling, India managed to restrict Australia to 186/6, which was not enough to stop the visitors. The Men in Blue chased down the 187-run target in just 18.3 overs, as Washington Sundar top-scored with 49 runs off 23 deliveries. 

Humble Arshdeep Singh credits ‘Jasprit Bumrah pressure’ for POTM display against Australia

Arshdeep Singh delivered a statement performance in the third T20I of the ongoing five-match series against Australia, away from home. Singh scalped a three-wicket haul against the Aussies, to help India claim its first win of the series at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. 

Arshdeep Singh on POTM display
Arshdeep Singh spoke about Jasprit Bumrah’s pressure on batter, following POTM display against Australia. (via Hindustan Times)

Arshdeep Singh first dismissed Travis Head in the opening over, bowling a brilliant wide-length delivery outside off to trap the Australian opener. Head went forward to loft the ball in the air, but it landed straight into Suryakumar Yadav’s hands at mid-off. In his very next over, Singh dismissed Josh Inglis, with the catch being taken by Axar Patel at square leg, followed by Marcus Stoinis’ wicket in the final over.

Speaking after winning the POTM award, Arshdeep Singh reflected on his focus on executing and honing his skills rather than chasing records. Furthermore, the Punjab pacer spoke about his experience playing alongside Jasprit Bumrah, noting that batters always avoid taking risks against Bumrah, which provides the left-armer with several wicket-taking opportunities, as they tend to go for big shots against him. He said during the presentation ceremony:

I’ve just been working on my process, trusting my skills, and executing the plans. When someone like [Jasprit] Bumrah is bowling, batters often take more risks against me, and that gives me wicket-taking opportunities.

Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav also lauded the team’s collective effort, while praising Bumrah and Singh as a ‘lethal’ bowling combination. Yadav also talked about the importance of being on the winning side, as it allowed the Men in Blue to level the five-match series 1-1. 

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