Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged Team India to retain Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. According to Pathan, the Men in Blue must be prepared for situations where they need two bowlers capable of delivering yorkers from either end during the death overs.
India secured a thrilling victory over Sri Lanka in a Super Over in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match held in Dubai on Friday, September 26. Batting first, India posted a total of 202-5, and Sri Lanka matched the score in reply. While Arshdeep was expensive in his initial four overs, he turned the game around in the Super Over by bowling impeccable yorkers and conceding only two runs. His outstanding performance ensured an easy win for India in the tiebreaker.
The left-arm pacer got his chance to play largely because a couple of regular players were rested for the game. With India having already qualified for the Asia Cup 2025 final, Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube were both rested in the match against Sri Lanka, allowing Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana to feature.
Despite having played just two matches in the tournament so far, Irfan Pathan strongly backs Arshdeep’s inclusion in the playing XI for the final against Pakistan on Sunday, September 28. Speaking during a discussion on Sony Sports Network, the former all-rounder highlighted the importance of the 26-year-old pacer’s skills in high-pressure situations.
“First things first, he’s like ice. When the pressure is on, he asks for the ball and bowls. In the end overs, he is ready to bowl his yorkers. He bowls yorkers in tandem with Jasprit Bumrah when both play together. He is a bowler of that quality. For me, it’s nothing new. I have been saying from the first day that he should be in the playing XI,” Pathan explained.
He further added, “There are situations when you need yorkers from both ends. Today, the match went on till the very end. But, the Indian team’s thinking is that we need a long batting line-up. So, Shivam Dube is playing as an all-rounder. Since he is playing, Arshdeep is not finding a place. He will always be there in my playing XI.”
In the Super Over against Sri Lanka, Arshdeep made an immediate impact by dismissing Kusal Perera with the very first ball, having him caught at deep point. On the penultimate ball, Dasun Shanaka mistimed a full and wide delivery, sending it to deep backward point for another wicket.
A striking irony surrounds Arshdeep Singh’s current status in the team since he is India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals. The Punjab-born bowler has claimed 101 wickets in 65 matches at an impressive average of 18.76 and an economy rate of 8.37. He also has two four-wicket hauls to his name.
Hardik Pandya is the next highest Indian wicket-taker in the format with 98 wickets, followed by Yuzvendra Chahal (96), Jasprit Bumrah (94), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (90), and Kuldeep Yadav (82).
With such credentials, there is a strong case for Arshdeep Singh to be retained in the playing XI for the Asia Cup final as India prepare to take on arch-rivals Pakistan.
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