Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana might not get a chance to play again in Asia Cup 2025: Aakash Chopra

On Friday, September 19, the Indian cricket team secured a 21-run win over Oman to conclude their group stage clashes with the top position on the points table, having won all three games against the UAE, Pakistan and Oman in the Asia Cup 2025 campaign.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has opened up on the Indian pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana’s performances, adding that they didn’t live up to the expectations.

Interestingly, while Arshdeep conceded 37 runs in his four-over spell, Harshit Rana conceded 25 runs in his three-over spell. Both Indian pacers managed to scalp one wicket apiece during their respective spells.

"The way Arshdeep and Harshit bowled, they didn't give enough confidence. They didn't make you feel at all that the pitch was difficult to bat. You came to know that both are rusty. Arshdeep Singh was on the verge of 100 wickets, and it seemed like a wicket would fall when he would bowl with the new ball. However, when you haven't played cricket for such a long time, it becomes a little difficult," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Moreover, Chopra also felt that with Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy likely to be back in the playing XI for the Super Four clash against Pakistan, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh might be benched for the remainder of the Asia Cup 2025 campaign. 

"Harshit Rana's lengths didn't look that penetrative, and eventually you say that they might not get a chance to play again. Jasprit Bumrah will play on Sunday and after that as well, and Varun Chakaravarthy will return. India will go back to the three-spinner theory as the games after this are in Dubai," he added.

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