India is playing the first T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first but one decision that has gained huge attention is Arshdeep Singh not being included in India’s playing XI.
Arshdeep Singh has been India’s top T20I bowlers and his stats justify his importance for the team. In 65 matches Arshdeep has 101 wickets with an average of 18.76 and an economy of 8.37. Even in the ODI series against Australia, Arshdeep Singh took three wickets in the 2nd ODI but was dropped in the third despite taking three wickets.
The decision to bench Arshdeep Singh didn’t go well with the fans and they have raised huge questions, accusing India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir for bringing politics in cricket. It is also important to note that Harshit Rana still remains in the team leaving netizens fuming.
WTF!!!!
Arshdeep Singh who is India’s all time highest wicket taker in T2OI, performed everywhere he played is dropped from team India’s XI for KKR’s Parchi Harshit Rana again!!!!
Harshit may take a fifer here but this won’t be justified. What Arsh has done to Dumb Gambhir?? pic.twitter.com/sBQmlVCqN3
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 29, 2025
Arshdeep singh >>> farzi rana anyday 🤡 pic.twitter.com/QRtbK0gnNq
— कृष्णा (@iiamkrshn) October 29, 2025
Now , this actually is shameless behaviour from Gautam Gambhir .
He always keeps dropping Arshdeep from the playing 11 and gives long rope to Harshit Rana despite poor performances .
I mean this utter bullshit , how can someone not raise their voice against this shameful act… pic.twitter.com/wKcNL2D1gw— Stumper (@TheStumpStory) October 29, 2025
Wtf, You Are Playing Harshit Rana In The Playing 11 Before Arshdeep Singh, The Best Bowler Of India In T20i. Unreal Politics Bc 🤡. pic.twitter.com/xsQVCZHxip
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) October 29, 2025
You can only feel for Arshdeep Singh, best T20 bowler of India and he gets benched, this is your GG era?
DON’T BRING POLITICS IN CRICKET!!!#INDvsAUS #AUSvIND #arshdeepsingh pic.twitter.com/5ztMsaeb6f
— Stumper (@TheStumpStory) October 29, 2025
So, Gautam Gambhir Dropped Arshdeep Singh just to fit someone from his beloved franchise KKR…. Shame where @GautamGambhir ??🤡#INDvsAUS
— Shreyash 🇮🇳(Inactive Days) (@CSKIAN07x31) October 29, 2025
Australia has won the toss and opted to bowl first. At the time of writing, India has already lost one wicket of Abhishek Sharma.