R Ashwin reacts strongly to Arshdeep Singh’s exclusion from Playing XI in 1st ODI against NZ, says ‘Resting means he…’

The absence of Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI of India, facing New Zealand in the opening ODI, took most fans and observers of the game as well as ex-cricketers by surprise. With the rest of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep was almost certain to be tasked with the responsibility of leading the bowler’s charge in the opening ODI. The team management, however, opted to feature Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna, apart from the specialist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who were accompanied by all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

Former off-spinner of the Indian national cricket team R Ashwin was completely surprised at Arshdeep’s exclusion from first ODI against New Zealand. While commenting on the social media platform ‘X’, Ashwin expressed his surprise over the exclusion. Ashwin even had to counter an explanation that Arshdeep had been left out of the playing eleven since he was selected in the T20 World Cup squad. But the left-handed pacer had bowled economically in the recent ODI series against South Africa, picking five wickets in just three matches with an economy rate of 5.50.

“Where-is-deep Singh? That’s all #INDvsNZ.” Ashwin asked

Then a fan wrote that he might be rested but Ashwin rejected it and gave a fiery reply.

Ashwin wrote: “Resting someone shouldn’t be after he gets in the squad”

“Resting means he gets rested like Bumrah. The lack of continuity can impact rhythm and hence performance”, he added.