A fiery debate has exploded around India’s team selection in the ongoing three-match ODI series against New Zealand, and spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly condemned head coach Gautam Gambhir’s tactic while supporting Arshdeep Singh.
Ravichandran Ashwin slams Gautam Gambhir as Arshdeep Singh warms the bench in India vs New Zealand Series
With the ODI series being tied at 1-1 and the series decider scheduled for January 18 in Indore, Arshdeep Singh is yet to get a single game against New Zealand, despite being one of India’s most reliable bowlers and the fact that he played all three ODIs against South Africa last month.
Watching the left-arm pacer warming the bench in the Gujarat leg of the India vs New Zealand series, Ashwin did not hold back as he slammed Gambhir for diminishing the bowler’s confidence with his decision to overlook the latter for the ongoing home series.
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The former Indian off-spinner admitted that the Indian cricket team management is clearly thinking long-term, especially with the 2027 World Cup in mind, but he warned that such planning should not come at the cost of a player who has already proven himself.
Don’t sacrifice Arshdeep Singh for future plans: Ashwin fires a warning
Ashwin shifted the focus straight to Arshdeep’s mindset. The former Indian all-rounder has pointed out that someone needs to step into Arshdeep’s shoes and think about what goes on in his head after being left out again and again despite performing well in the white-ball game.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’: “The contest is between bowlers. For South Africa (World Cup), you need hit-the-deck bowlers. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna need match experience, and that is why they are being played. I can understand the thinking. But who is going to get into Arshdeep Singh’s shoes and think? Who is going to do that?”
Gautam Gambhir and Team India are playing with Arshdeep Singh’s confidence: Ashwin
He explained that it is not about how many matches Arshdeep plays, but about the mental toll it takes when a bowler has to fight for his place every single time. Ashwin pointed out that this problem almost always affects bowlers, and he also went through this phase during his career, which is why he is continuously fighting and standing for Arshdeep.
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Ashwin further explained, “This is not about how much he is playing or not, but what goes on in his mind. Somebody who has done so much still has to fight for his place. And the next time he plays, he will be rusty. Why does this always happen with bowlers? I have been in this situation, and I know it is unfair, so I am always fighting for Arshdeep. And he has always performed.”
Too late to fix the damage?
He also felt that even if Arshdeep is picked for the third ODI against New Zealand, it would not fix much, as it must have already dented the Punjab lad’s confidence. Ashwin signed off by saying, “Even if he plays the third ODI now, what will that do? Why did he not play the first two matches? What will that do to his confidence? I am talking from a cricketer’s perspective.”
ASHWIN SPEAKS FROM HIS WITH EMOTIONS ABOUT #arshdeepsingh selection in #INDvsNZ ODI . Credits : Ash ki Baat YT pic.twitter.com/uoQQQpjcie
— Aaryan (@SquadSadda32936) January 15, 2026
His numbers make the debate even louder. In just 14 ODIs, Arshdeep has so far taken 22 wickets at a solid average of 24.90 and an economy rate of 5.29. His List-A record is equally impressive, with 75 wickets from 44 matches at an average of 23.96 and an economy rate of 5.15 to his name.
