Ex-India skipper Kris Srikkanth commented on the situation that Arshdeep Singh has not featured in India’s playing XI for quite a long time. Moreover, he referred to the incident where the left-arm pacer was not included in the India side that took on Australia in the final of T20I in Canberra. Arshdeep has recorded great figures in the T20I format, but Srikkanth thinks that the left-arm pacer hasn't yet overpowered Shubman Gill to become the top player of the team.
Srikkanth pointed out that it is common for a team to give some players more freedom because they see them as leaders and have a long-term plan for them. It seems to him that the team management is giving Shubman Gill, who has leadership qualities, a longer rope than others in the current squad.
“Arshdeep hasn’t reached Shubman Gill’s level yet,” says Kris Srikkanth
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth highlighted the contrast between Arshdeep’s situation and Gill’s. While Arshdeep remains on the fringes despite being India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is — with 101 wickets at an average below 19 in 65 games — Gill has enjoyed consistent backing from team management across formats.
“Unfortunately for Arshdeep Singh, he hasn’t reached Shubman Gill’s level yet in the team combination. That’s where someone like Shubman scores over him. Shubman was dropped even during the Test series in Australia but was later made captain and did brilliantly in England,” Srikkanth said.
He added that Gill’s leadership qualities have likely influenced the management’s patience.
“Even in T20Is, he didn’t score for a long time, yet he played superbly today. The thought process with a guy like Gill is probably to give him as many chances as possible, hoping he becomes a big leader and wins matches.”
Srikkanth further noted that bowlers often receive less leniency compared to batters in team selections, especially in white-ball cricket. He pointed out that even top-performing bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakaravarthy have faced exclusion despite strong performances in major tournaments.
“It mainly happens to bowlers. There’s always extra leeway given to batters because it’s a batsmen-dominated game, especially in white-ball formats. Preferences always go to batters — nothing can be done about it,” he explained.
Citing examples, Srikkanth mentioned:
“Take Kuldeep himself — he bowled brilliantly in the Champions Trophy but didn’t play in England. Likewise, Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy helped India win the Champions Trophy but were left out of the ODI squad.”
Meanwhile, the opening T20I between India and Australia was abandoned due to persistent rain after India reached 97/1 in 10 overs, leaving fans waiting for the next contest between the two sides.
