Team India’s T20I series against Australia began with fireworks on the field, and a storm online. The decision to drop pacer Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI for the first match in Canberra has sparked a heated debate, with fans questioning head coach Gautam Gambhir’s judgment and team strategy.
The decision that started it all
When India announced their lineup, many expected Arshdeep to feature, especially given the overcast conditions that often favour swing bowlers. Instead, the team went with a different pace combination, leaving the 25-year-old left-armer on the bench.
Soon after the toss, social media erupted with the hashtag #JusticeForArshdeep, with fans accusing Gambhir of sidelining the pacer. Some even speculated that the former India opener had a personal bias, though there’s no evidence to suggest any friction between the two.
Social media and expert reactions
Fans wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
I am watching Indian Cricket since 18 years but never seen this level of blatant favouritism in Indian Cricket where performers who are at their peak getting dropped for coach’s franchise parchis.
Arshdeep is not in team after taking highest wickets at T2OI WC 2024. Shame!!
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 29, 2025
Not playing Arshdeep who is a far better T20 bowler and a left armer bringing variety and playing someone whos name itself is EveryShit shows that GG puts his interest before Indian Teams interest. Pathetic. @SarangSood @Mitesh_Engr thoughts?
— Options Aficionado (@OptnsAficionado) October 29, 2025
Arshdeep singh…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 29, 2025
ARSHDEEP SINGH DROPPED! 😤
India’s all-time highest T20I wicket-taker, consistent across conditions, finds himself out of the XI — replaced by Harshit Rana! 🤯
Harshit can bat pretty well, but that doesn’t mean you drop one of your best seamers in the format!🤷♂️
DISAPPOINTED. pic.twitter.com/H8t1gujz1E
— The Khel India Cricket (@TKI_Cricket) October 29, 2025
No Arshdeep Singh in 1st T20 🤯
Highest wicket taker for India in T20 is not in Playing XI. GOAT Harshit Rana is playing in place of Arshdeep Singh. Wow Coach Gautam Gambhir.
Politics Gautam Gambhir favouritism..!! pic.twitter.com/gZRxY0S22y
— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) October 29, 2025
– Dropped Arshdeep Singh
– Not selecting Yashasvi Jaiswal
– Removed Rohit from captaincy
– Dropped Kuldeep Yadav from ODI
– Dropped Ravindra Jadeja from ODI
– Made Harshit Rana all format bowlerBlud single handedly destroyed the squad that Rohit Sharma built over the years. pic.twitter.com/V8PHTz8ZxA
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) October 29, 2025
Meanwhile, former players and analysts have taken a more measured view.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, too, weighed in, saying, “Every coach has a plan, but if you have a left-arm seamer in rhythm, you use him.”
The bigger picture
Arshdeep has been one of India’s most consistent T20 bowlers in recent years, known for his control at the death and ability to strike early with the new ball. Dropping him in a major series opener was always bound to raise eyebrows.
However, team selection often involves rotation, fitness monitoring, and workload management, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching next year. Sources within the team setup reportedly insist the call was strategic, not personal.
Gambhir’s coaching under scrutiny
Gambhir’s tenure as India’s white-ball coach is still in its early days, but his selections have already attracted attention for being bold and unconventional. While that’s nothing new for the outspoken former batter, every controversial call will now be magnified under the national spotlight.
For Arshdeep, though, it may just be a matter of patience, a reminder that in Indian cricket, even form doesn’t always guarantee a place in the XI.
