India's campaign at the Asia Cup 2025 has so far gone as expected. The Men in Blue have won their first two games and have made it to the next stage without any problems.
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However, team India's playing XI in the first two games has, been under the scanner. The side has gone ahead with just one proper pace bowler in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and has left out the current world no.1 in the T20Is - Arshdeep Singh.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra weighed in on India's playing XI as he remarked that India will have to choose between an additional batter at No.8 to include Arshdeep Singh.
Aakash Chopra backs Arshdeep Singh’s Asia Cup 2025 inclusion
Team India has preferred playing an extra batter so far in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The side has gone with a long batting depth, which has forced them to leave Arshdeep out of the playing XI.
Additionally, the conditions in Dubai have also forced the Indian side to play three spinners in the form of Kuldeep, Varun, and Axar. Bumrah is the only out-and-out fast bowler featuring for the Men In Blue, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are fulfilling the role of the additional pacers.
"Whom can he (Arshdeep) replace...They will have to make a call on whether they want a batter at No.8 or not. If you want a batter at No.8, then one spinner will have to be dropped; one of Kuldeep or Varun will have to sit out, and then he can play," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
Kuldeep has been the best bowler for India in the tournament so far. He is also the leading wicket-taker with 7 wickets in two games and has been awarded the 'Player of the Match' in both games.
Varun, on the other hand also provided the side with a lot of control with the ball. UAE tends to offer slow and two-paced wickets which perfectly suit the Indian spinners as they turn the game during the middle-overs.
"If India feels that their batting is settled and they don't want a batter after No.7, in that case, Arshdeep’s straight jump in place of Shivam Dube," added Chopra.
India's batting depth has not been tested till now in the tournament. The side has registered dominating victories in both its games against the UAE and Pakistan.
India will now play against Oman in their final league encounter at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19th, which will be followed by the Super Four encounter on Sunday, September 21st.
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