Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has vocally expressed his strong disapproval of fast bowler Arshdeep Singh's repeated exclusion from the national team's playing XI, particularly in recent One Day International (ODI) matches against New Zealand and prior T20 Internationals. Ashwin, known for his candid opinions, questioned the team management's rationale behind benching a performing bowler like Arshdeep. The core of Ashwin's argument revolves around the perceived lack of continuity for bowlers and the emphasis on batting depth, which he believes often comes at the expense of specialist bowlers. He highlighted that Arshdeep, despite his strong performances and being India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is at one point, has been consistently sidelined since Gautam Gambhir took over as the Head Coach of the Indian Men's Cricket Team in July 2024. Arshdeep Singh was notably omitted from the playing XI for the first two ODIs against New Zealand in January 2026, a decision that surprised many fans and experts, especially with frontline pacer Jasprit Bumrah being rested. Ashwin stated that such exclusions can severely impact a player's morale, confidence, and rhythm, comparing Arshdeep's situation to his own past experiences. He insisted that Arshdeep deserves a permanent spot and should be allowed to play consistently to maintain his form and confidence. This ongoing debate underscores the challenges faced by team management in balancing squad rotation, workload management, and providing consistent opportunities to deserving players.