R Ashwin launches verbal attack on Gautam Gambhir over Arshdeep Singh's ODI snub

Ashwin defends Arshdeep Singh [Source: @shanam_issak/X]

India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was left out of the New Zealand ODI series despite a successful stint in the South Africa ODIs, where he picked up a five-wicket haul across three matches. 

Reacting to Arshdeep Singh’s snub for the New Zealand ODIs, former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin shared his own experience of being made to sit on the bench despite having the credentials to play.

Why India decided to snub Arshdeep Singh?

Notably, for the first two ODIs against New Zealand in Vadodara and Rajkot, India went with Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna as the frontline pacers, while Arshdeep Singh was benched for both matches. 

Despite being one of India’s most impactful bowlers in T20Is and also proving his effectiveness in ODIs, Arshdeep was made to sit out, a decision that did not sit well with Ashwin.

Ashwin launches scathing attack on India management

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said that being benched for several matches often makes a player rusty when he finally gets an opportunity to play. Ashwin further stated that Arshdeep Singh deserved a spot in the ODI playing XI, and even if he played only the third and final ODI, it would not have harmed his confidence.

“He has performed every time you have given him the ball. Give him the place he deserves. Allow him to walk into the eleven with his head held high. He deserves it boss. Now what is the use of him playing the third ODI, why did he not play the first two ODIs. What will that do to his confidence?” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin then questioned why Arshdeep Singh was placed in this situation in the first place. He said that a player who has done so much for the nation should not have to fight repeatedly for his place in the playing XI.

“I am talking from a cricketer’s perspective. Who is going to stand in Arshdeep Singh’s shoes and think? This is not about how much he played under Rahul (Dravid) bhai and how much he is playing now. It is about what must be going through his head right now. Somebody who has done so much is having to fight for his place," Ashwin added.

Ashwin slams ignorance of bowlers in Team India

Ashwin also questioned the apparent disparity in team selection, pointing out why batters are often given extended runs while bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, who had done nothing wrong, were still asked to sit out simply because they are bowlers.

“The next time he plays, he will be rusty. Whatever you say, cricket is a game of confidence, why does this keep happening with bowlers? It never happens with batsmen. I have been in this situation myself and so I know, it is quite unfair. And that is why I always fight for Arshdeep," Ashwin concluded.

How India performed without Arshdeep?

For context, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna were expensive in the first ODI, conceding runs at economy rates of 6.50 and 6.66 respectively. As a result, India clearly felt the absence of a proven frontline pacer like Arshdeep Singh or Jasprit Bumrah. 

Nevertheless, Arshdeep Singh has been effective in India’s ODI setup, picking up seven wickets from four matches at home.

In the 2025 season, Arshdeep took 10 wickets in six ODI appearances and has 22 wickets in his career across 14 ODI matches, bowling at an average of 24.9 with best figures of 5 for 37.