India registered an excellent win over UAE by 9 wickets in the first match of Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai and started their campaign. Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh was not given a place against UAE in India’s playing XI, who is the highest wicket -taking bowler from India in T20I.
Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were included as fast bowlers at India’s playing XI against UAE, while Shivam Dubey played the role of third fast bowler. Although this combination of India was effective against the UAE’s inexperienced batting lineup, Irfan Pathan believes that this Kabinyanal will not prove to be effective against the strong team in the future.
Irfan Pathan told how India will miss Arshdeep Singh in the event of pressure and at the same time he questioned whether Hardik Pandya could prove to be effective in the death overs. Irfan said that Arshdeep is the highest wicket -taking bowler for India in T20 and it is surprising to be out of the team. He did not play in the Test series against England, but when India plays a knock-out matches in the Asia Cup, Bumrah will bowl from one end and if the spinners go from the other end, it is fine, but what will happen when it does not go.
Irfan further said that, if you play with three spinners, you will try to maintain their impact from 15 to 16 overs, but when such a situation comes when it is difficult to catch the ball due to dew. In difficult times you will go towards Hardik in place of Shivam Dubey, but is his strength yorker. Can Hardik Pandya put 6 yorkers in an over? Their strength is bouncer and hard length bowling that will not be very effective in the end, but Arshdeep can put 6 yorkers in one over. You will miss them because only two fast bowlers will play. Arshadeep has shown in T20 World Cup, IPL or other T20 matches that they can put 6 yorkers well in one over.