Arshdeep Singh Selection Dilemma: Morne Morkel Sheds Light

Despite his record-breaking wickets tally, Arshdeep Singh has often found himself benched. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel explains the selection strategy behind this decision. So Let’s take a look at Arshdeep Singh Selection Dilemma.

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Testing Combinations Ahead of the World Cup

Arshdeep Singh, with 104 wickets in just 66 T20Is—the most by any Indian bowler—has proven his worth repeatedly, including a Player of the Match performance with 3/35 in the recent third T20I against Australia. Yet, questions over his intermittent selection persist. Morne Morkel, India’s fast bowling coach, addressed the issue by emphasizing the management’s intent to experiment with different bowling combinations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. There are limited games now leading into the T20 World Cup, so it is essential for us to see how the players can react in certain situations under pressure, explained Morkel, adding that it was about ensuring team readiness, not doubting Arshdeep’s capability. This approach has led Arshdeep to appear in only six of India’s 15 T20Is in 2025 so far, as the management also explores spin-heavy attacks and values batting depth in certain conditions.

The Value and Frustration of Arshdeep’s Exclusion

The decision to rest Arshdeep, despite his ongoing success, has not been without controversy. Experts like Irfan Pathan have openly argued that Arshdeep should not be sidelined, highlighting his unmatched effectiveness in the powerplay—his 45 wickets with the new ball since debut are unmatched by any other bowler globally. Morkel acknowledged the frustration but reassured that Arshdeep’s role remains crucial and that these strategic exclusions are not a reflection of his importance. He knows he is a world-class bowler, he has taken the most wickets for us in powerplay. We know how valuable he is to the team, Morkel insisted. The current selection dilemma underscores the challenge of balancing individual excellence with team experimentation, especially with a major ICC event looming.

As India prepares for the next T20 World Cup, the balancing act between testing combinations and utilizing proven match-winners like Arshdeep Singh will remain under scrutiny. Will team strategy ever fully align with statistical merit?

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