Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his frustration as India left out left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI in the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Ashwin posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Where-is-deep Singh? That’s all.”
When a fan pointed out that Arshdeep is part of the ICC T20 World Cup squad, Ashwin replied that the lack of continuous chances can break a bowler’s rhythm.
“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,” wrote Ashwin.
Arshdeep took 10 wickets from six ODIs in 2025. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, he picked up seven wickets from two matches, including a five-wicket haul. However, India opted to go with three seamers in the form of Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, along with one specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar also contributed in the spin department.
All three Indian pacers picked up two wickets each, but Harshit and Prasidh proved to be expensive, conceding 65 and 60 runs respectively. Kuldeep managed to take one wicket.
New Zealand posted a competitive total of 300/8 in their 50 overs. In reply, India were 92/2 after 15 overs, with Rohit Sharma becoming the first wicket to fall after scoring 26 off 29 balls.
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