"If you want to experiment, then rest Bumrah" - R. Ashwin's stunning take as he slams Arshdeep Singh's omission after AUS vs IND 2025 2nd T20I

Former India off-spinner R. Ashwin criticized the team management for excluding Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI in the second T20I against Australia. The match took place on Friday, October 31, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

After being put in to bat, India were bowled out for 125 in 18.4 overs, with Josh Hazlewood picking up three wickets. In reply, skipper Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 46 off 26 balls as Australia chased down the target in 13.2 overs to win by four wickets.

Following the game, in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Ashwin questioned Arshdeep’s omission, stating that if the management wants to experiment, they should rest Jasprit Bumrah, as the left-arm pacer deserves his place in the XI. Ashwin said:

“If you want to experiment, then rest Bumrah. Bumrah is the one with workload management issues. You can rest Bumrah. See, Arshdeep Singh is your leading wicket-taker. When we will play the T20 World Cup, there will be some dew. I really hope there’s no dew because dew is a very dampening factor. But this Arshdeep debate is definitely something that’s very sad because Arshdeep Singh deserves his place.” “My point is, Arshdeep Singh’s name should be the second name on your fast bowlers’ list when Bumrah is playing. And if Bumrah isn’t playing, then Arshdeep becomes your first-choice bowler on that team list. I just cannot understand how Arshdeep Singh keeps missing out from the XI in this side. I really don’t get it,” he added.

Ashwin continued:

“Of course, Harshit Rana had a decent day with the bat, he came in and batted reasonably well. It’s not about him at all. It’s about Arshdeep. The way he performed in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and yet since then, he has consistently found ways to stay out of the team. He’s been benched so many times when he should have been playing.”

Arshdeep remains India’s leading wicket-taker in the format, with 101 scalps to his name in 65 matches.

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“Please, play him” - R. Ashwin urges team management to include Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI

In the same video, R. Ashwin pointed out that during Arshdeep Singh’s last appearance in the 2025 Asia Cup, he looked a bit rusty due to a lack of game time, and urged the management to give the left-arm seamer the opportunities he deserves. The 39-year-old said:

“He actually lost a bit of rhythm. The last time we saw him, during the Asia Cup, he bowled well, came back nicely in a spell, but he looked rusty. And your champion bowler will start looking rusty if you don’t give him game time. So it’s a really, really tough situation if you’re Arshdeep. I genuinely hope he starts getting the chances he deserves, man. He deserves to be there. And it’s not about someone else, that’s his spot. Please, play him.”

Australia and India are set to face off in the third T20I on Sunday, November 2, in Hobart.

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Edited by Dev Sharma