Arshdeep Singh’s selection dilemma: Morne Morkel sheds light
Despite his record number of wickets, Arshdeep Singh has often found himself on the bench. Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel explains the selection strategy behind this decision. So let’s look at Arshdeep Singh’s selection dilemma.
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Testing combinations prior to the World Cup
Arshdeep Singh, with 104 wickets in just 66 T20Is – the most by any Indian bowler – has repeatedly proven his worth, including a Player of the Match performance with 3/35 in the recent third T20I against Australia. Still, questions remain about his period selection. Morne Morkel, India’s fast bowling coach, addressed the issue by highlighting the management’s intention to experiment with different bowling combinations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. There are now a limited number of matches leading up to the T20 World Cup, so it is vital for us to see how the players can respond under pressure in certain situations, Morkel explained, adding that the point was to ensure team readiness, not to doubt the abilities of Arshdeep. This approach has resulted in Arshdeep appearing in just 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 continued success, has not been without controversy. Pundits like Irfan Pathan have openly argued that Arshdeep should not be sidelined, highlighting his unparalleled effectiveness in the powerplay: his 45 wickets with the new ball since his debut have not been matched by any other bowler in the world. 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 most wickets for us in powerplay. We know how valuable he is to the team, Morkel emphasized. The current selection dilemma underlines 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 fielding proven match-winners like Arshdeep Singh will remain under scrutiny. Will the team strategy ever fully align with its statistical merits?
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