“What are the chances of him playing in the World Cup?” - Ex-Indian cricketer slams Indian team management for axing Arshdeep Singh from the XI

Former Indian opening batter and commentator Aakash Chopra has asserted that it was quite baffling to see India’s highest T20 wicket-taker, Arshdeep Singh, being benched in the first T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Speaking exclusively on ESPN Cricinfo, Chopra questioned the Indian team management of Arshdeep’s place in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Interestingly, India went ahead with three spinners and two pacers for the opening T20I.

"It's quite baffling that India's highest T20I wicket-taker can't find a place in the playing XI-even in Australia. Of course, it didn't happen in the UAE for the Asia Cup. What are the chances of him playing in the World Cup? That's the first thought that crosses the mind. The biggest takeaway is the philosophy with which this team has been playing for a while-that you need somebody who can bat at No. 8," Aakash Chopra said on ESPN Cricinfo.

Furthermore, Chopra also felt that Harshit Rana doesn’t fit the bill yet for his ability to bat at No. 8, adding that he could’ve understood Arshdeep Singh’s axing from the XI if there were a better and more capable batter playing at No. 8.

"In this case, Harshit Rana was picked ahead of Arshdeep Singh not because of his bowling ability, but just because of his batting. You could possibly understand if there were a better, more capable batter playing at No. 8. But the sample size we have of Harshit Rana's batting ability is not big enough to actually suggest that he is a batter who can deliver regularly at No. 8. Harshit Rana doesn't fit the bill yet,” he added.

India’s T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.

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