Arshdeep Singh OUT of ICC T20 World Cup 2026! Harshit Rana given a spot

In a move that has sparked huge debate among cricket fans and experts, India’s current strategy under Gautam Gambhir has once again shown a clear preference for batting depth over traditional bowling balance. Harshit Rana’s selection ahead of Arshdeep Singh lately is not just a random call; it is reportedly part of a well-thought-out plan carried out by Gambhir.

From the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to the Asia Cup 2025 and even the England tour, Gambhir’s blueprint has revolved around ensuring India bats deep till the number eight. The idea is simple yet bold: players till the number eight should be capable of contributing with the bat.

Harshit Rana chosen over Arshdeep Singh as India focuses on batting till No. 8

This mindset was on full display during India’s ongoing five-match T20I series in Australia. The Men in Blue fielded three spinners and picked Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh for the first T20I in Canberra despite a chilling six-degree temperature that is more suitable for the seamers.

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The decision wasn’t just tactical for the match, but it was a glimpse into India’s vision for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. As reported by Revsportz, India’s likely bowling core is shaping up around Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav.

India’s bowling attack for the upcoming tournament will feature Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel, who all provide both variety and lower-order batting stability to the side, which Gambhir is desperate for.

Arshdeep Singh's credentials, however, can not be overlooked. Averaging 18.76, Arshdeep Singh is India's highest T20 wicket-taker with 101 scalps to his name. Recently, Arshdeep Singh has also worked on improving his batting skills too, a glimpse of which was visible in the India vs Australia 2nd ODI at Adelaide.

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On the batting front, the players have all but confirmed. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are set to continue opening, followed by Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson, forming a powerful middle order for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

In Gambhir’s aggressive and fearless cricket, there is no place for Arshdeep Singh, at least for now. If India’s current approach is any indication, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 would be the same lineup that was fielded in Canberra, adding Pandya, who is currently recovering from an injury.

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Rain washes out T20I series opener in Canberra

Meanwhile, the first T20I game between India and Australia was abandoned due to relentless rain in Canberra. Earlier, Australia’s skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first under cloudy skies.

Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma came out with aggressive intent, smashing boundaries in style before Nathan Ellis struck early.

Soon after, a drizzle turned into persistent rain, forcing the players off the field. The ground staff worked tirelessly, and after several interruptions, the match was reduced to 18 overs per side. When play resumed, India looked determined to make up for lost time.

Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill launched a stunning counterattack, with the Indian captain’s trademark flicks and Gill’s smooth drives dazzling the sparse crowd that braved the weather. Just as India began to dominate at 97/1 in 9.4 overs, the skies opened up again.

Despite multiple attempts to resume play, the conditions only worsened, and the umpires had no choice but to call off the match. With Josh Hazlewood keeping things tight, Nathan Ellis was the lone wicket-taker in the five-match T20I series opener against India on October 29.