The Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management has come under the scrutiny of the fans once again in the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI. And the reason for that is a constant one: Arshdeep Singh dropped while Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna picked.
Despite Arshdeep proving himself time and again in both white-ball international formats, across conditions and phases of the match, head coach Gambhir has not shown enough faith in the left-arm pacer who has often been dropped either for Harshit or Krishna or an all-rounder.
Barring one T20I, Arshdeep was largely effective and impressive across the ODI and T20I series against South Africa last month. However, the 26-year-old was left out of the side on Sunday in the IND vs NZ 1st ODI in Vadodara.
IND vs NZ 1st ODI: Why is Arshdeep Singh not playing today?
Arshdeep Singh, who played in all three ODIs against South Africa, has been dropped from the playing XI for the 1st ODI against New Zealand as Mohammed Siraj returned to the XI, while Harshit and Prasidh have been retained in the side.
It’s a move that sends out confusing messages to the fans and perhaps to Arshdeep as well. Siraj was not part of the ODI series against the Proteas and now walks back into the XI, replacing Arshdeep, who took 5 wickets in three matches. Arshdeep’s economy rate of 5.5 was the best economy for any bowler in the high-scoring India vs South Africa ODI series.
Indian cricket fans expressed their disappointment and frustration through their tweets after it was confirmed that Arshdeep wouldn’t be playing in Vadodara.
Fans on Twitter react as Arshdeep Singh gets excluded from the IND vs NZ 1st ODI?
Meanwhile, the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI is the maiden men’s ODI match to be hosted at the BCA Stadium, or the Kotambi Stadium, in Vadodara.
Shubman Gill, who is returning after an injury, won the toss and elected to bowl first. India also welcome back Shreyas Iyer, who has recovered from a spleen injury. India picked two all-rounders in Jadeja and Sundar.
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Playing XIs:
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Mitchell Hay (wk), Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Kristian Clarke, Zakary Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok
India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna.
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