'F**k you, Gautam Gambhir': India coach faces vile abuse after benching Arshdeep Singh in 1st T20I vs Australia

Indian cricket fans were left furious as Arshdeep Singh was yet again dropped for Harshit Rana in the shorter format of the game. Arshdeep Singh was forced to warm the bench as Rana got the nod for the five-match T20I series opener against Australia on Wednesday, October 29.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav went with Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah as his pace bowling specialists, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the spin attack featuring Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel. Shivam Dube will provide assistance to Rana and Bumrah in Canberra.

Arshdeep Singh benched again for Harshit Rana

Suryakumar has not provided any specific reason behind Arshdeep’s snub from India XI but hinted that they picked the team according to the conditions, and every player knows his role. Notably, Arshdeep last played a T20I for India in the Asia Cup 2025 clash against Sri Lanka.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: Ruturaj Gaikwad humiliates BCCI for ugly Prithvi Shaw stance

Speaking at the toss, Suryakumar Yadav said, "Big headache, yeah. It's a good headache. It's not a bad headache. It's a good headache to have. But yeah, good to have so many options. The guys who are missing out are Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, and Nitish Kumar Reddy."

Here's how fans react to Arshdeep Singh's snub:

WTF!!!!

Arshdeep Singh who is India's all time highest wicket taker in T2OI, performed everywhere he played is dropped from team India's XI for KKR's Parchi Harshit Rana again!!!!

Harshit may take a fifer here but this won't be justified. What Arsh has done to Dumb Gambhir?? pic.twitter.com/sBQmlVCqN3

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 29, 2025

Arshdeep Singh- Highest wicket taker for India in T20Is makes way for Harshit Rana. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yGdYZBxqlv

— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) October 29, 2025

Arshdeep singh >>> farzi rana anyday 🤡 pic.twitter.com/QRtbK0gnNq

— कृष्णा (@iiamkrshn) October 29, 2025

No Arshdeep Singh in 1st T20 🤯

Highest wicket taker for India in T20 is not in Playing XI. GOAT Harshit Rana is playing in place of Arshdeep Singh. Wow Coach Gautam Gambhir.

Politics Gautam Gambhir favouritism..!! pic.twitter.com/gZRxY0S22y

— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) October 29, 2025

This is some ridiculous decision by Gautam Gambhir to play Harshit Rana ahead of Arshdeep singh.

Now, Gautam Gambhir has Crossed all the limits. pic.twitter.com/vOlLMBORCX

— Abhishek Kumar (@Abhishek060722) October 29, 2025

Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh in T20i, this is too much now. Team management ,can't damage any cricketers career to make another's.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/STLu30BnNq

— Fantasy Dominator (@AkhandSharma9) October 29, 2025

🚨 Arshdeep Singh dropped for Harshit Rana!!

Even if Rana takes 5 wickets today but how can u drop your best T20 bowler man, Politician GG era 🤯🔥#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/K8TbpprzRc

— Navneet 🚩 (@MSDian067) October 29, 2025

I don't understand the logic of Harshit Rana playing ahead of Arshdeep Singh in any format.. Can anybody explain it to me..?? #AUSvIND

— Pratik Jain (@drpratikjain) October 29, 2025

🚨Arshdeep Singh dropped in 1st T20I against Australia🚨

- Arshdeep who is India's all time highest wicket taker in T20I, performance very well but he dropped from team India for playing XI & KKR Parchi Harshit Rana in.

- Coach Gautam Gambhir & Captain Suryakumar yadav are… pic.twitter.com/VSB2pv3RBH

— MANU. (@IMManu_18) October 29, 2025

Wtf, You Are Playing Harshit Rana In The Playing 11 Before Arshdeep Singh, The Best Bowler Of India In T20i. Unreal Politics Bc 🤡. pic.twitter.com/xsQVCZHxip

— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) October 29, 2025

This is some ridiculous decision by Gautam Gambhir to play Harshit Rana ahead of Arshdeep singh.

Now, Gautam Gambhir has Crossed all the limits. pic.twitter.com/vOlLMBORCX

— Abhishek Kumar (@Abhishek060722) October 29, 2025

Arshdeep Singh under Gambhir’s coaching:

- Dropped from T20Is vs England
- Dropped from ODIs vs England
- Benched in Champions Trophy; Harshit Rana preferred
- Benched again in England series Harshit Rana played ahead
- Benched in ODI & T20i against AUS Harshit rana preferred pic.twitter.com/pJOcfaA1Gd

— ADITYA (@Wxtreme10) October 29, 2025

Shame on @GautamGambhir
You ruined Arshdeep Singh T20I career,
Harshit rana over Arshdeep Singh
Harshit rana over kuldeep yadav ?
Why MDC GG why ? #INDvAUS

— INSIDE EDGE CRICKET (@rj_tweets99) October 29, 2025

Once Again Harshit Rana get place in Playing 11. Arshdeep Singh sidelined without any reason..!! It's really sad..!! @GautamGambhir

— D_Nandan a_n_🐾 (@noth_ing29) October 29, 2025

Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh??? GG, youre a fu**ing joke of a coach!!! #INDvsAUS #AUSvsIND #AUSvIND #INDvAUS #TeamIndia

— Wudbeiser (@__beinghooman__) October 29, 2025

Arshdeep is not playing today again!
Fuck you gambhir

— Prabhleen Singh (@prabhoshan) October 29, 2025

This mdc gambhir has destroyed Arshdeep's smooth career🤡

— KOHLINATION❤️ (@urstanmay_05) October 29, 2025

Dropped Arshdeep again? Fk off Gambhir.

— Wicked Wicket (@Kanchan77359501) October 29, 2025

Arshdeep Singh vs Harshit Rana

Notably, Arshdeep has so far represented India in 65 T20Is and scalped 101 wickets at an average of 18.76 and an economy rate of 8.37. He is currently one of the best T20 bowlers going around in the world in the shorter format of the game.

The Punjab lad also has 230 wickets in 175 T20s to his name. On the other hand, Rana has played only three T20Is for India and taken only three wickets. The 23-year-old has also only 48 wickets in 41 T20s to his name so far at an average of 25.45 and economy rate of 9.47.

But the Delhi lad has got the strong backing of Gambhir, and now he is being preferred ahead of Arshdeep. Notably, India came into the T20I series after losing the ODI series 1-2 to Australia.

Playing XIs for 1st India vs Australia T20I:

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia XI: Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood

Notably, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the first three T20Is against Australia due to fitness concerns. The young all-rounder, who was already recovering from a left quadriceps injury picked up during the second ODI in Adelaide, has now developed neck spasms.