Gautam Gambhir and the Indian team management have been pushed by recently retired spinner R Ashwin to give pacer Arshdeep Singh the opportunities he deserves in Twenty20 internationals. The Punjab Kings pacer was the team's greatest player after Jasprit Bumrah, and he is losing rhythm on the bench. He stressed that it wasn't even about Harshit Rana, the all-rounder who has taken Arshdeep's spot in the current rubber Australia.
Following India's crushing defeat to Australia in the second Twenty20 International, Ashwin made these comments. Even though the bowlers fought hard and took six wickets, the visitors were bowled out for just 125. The hosts took a 1-0 lead in the series after chasing the target down in less than 14 overs (the first match was washed off).

When India was collapsing, Rana was sent in at number seven, ahead of the far more seasoned Shivam Dube, and he scored a steady but ultimately inconspicuous 35 (33). Using the new ball to launch the assault, he went wicketless in two overs while giving up 27 runs. "If Bumrah is playing, Arshdeep Singh's name ought to be the second name on your list of fast bowlers," Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel's Ash ki Baat show. "Arshdeep is your first bowler on that team list if Bumrah isn't playing. I find it incomprehensible that Arshdeep Singh is consistently left out of this team's starting lineup.

It's not very clear to me. Harshit Rana, of course, had a good day at bat. This has nothing to do with him, even though he batted fairly well. The subject is Arshdeep Singh. Following his performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he has continuously managed to avoid playing for the team. He has lost some of his rhythm as a result of being benched so frequently.
Gambhir's coaching style has been characterised by a preference for batting depth over specialists and x-factor bowlers. It started in Test matches but has since spread to ODIs and T20Is.As a bowling all-rounder who can knock massive sixes, Rana has benefited the most from it, which has also led to some baseless criticism of him. However, Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep, who has taken the most wickets for India in Twenty20 Internationals, have been negatively impacted by the adjustment.
Hardik Pandya's injury hasn't helped Arshdeep's case either, therefore the team is looking for other methods to strengthen the batting lineup. Ashwin, meanwhile, is concerned about the left arm.

He remarked of the Punjabi, "We saw in the Asia Cup, he bowled well, he came back very well in the spell, but he looked rusty." “If you don’t play your champion bowler, he will appear rusty. Arshdeep Singh is in a really difficult circumstance, and I sincerely hope he begins to receive the recognition he is due. It isn't about anyone else; he deserves to be there. He's part of the team. Play him, please," he continued.
On Sunday, Nov. 2, the third Twenty20 International will take place.