Hardik Pandya sacrificed to accommodate Arshdeep Singh for Asia Cup final

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has warned the Men in Blue against dropping Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 Final against Pakistan on Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Ravichandran has insisted that Arshdeep Singh must play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai. The former Indian off-spinner stressed that the left-arm pacer’s place in the playing XI must be unquestionable after his sensational performance against Sri Lanka in the Super Four clash.

Ravichandran Ashwin calls for India to play Arshdeep Singh in Asia Cup 2025 Final after Super Over heroics

The Punjab pacer has so far played only two matches in the ongoing continental tournament. Arshdeep Singh was brilliant under pressure in the Super Over against Sri Lanka. He conceded just two runs in the Super Over while picking up two crucial wickets, helping India clinch victory on the very last delivery.

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However, in the main game, the left-arm pacer conceded 46 runs and took one wicket in his four overs against the Islanders. Arshdeep has already become the fastest Indian pacer to reach 100 wickets in just 64 T20I games.

Yet, with India relying on a spin-heavy attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup 2025, Arshdeep Singh has not been getting consistent chances.

Arshdeep must play the final: Ravichandran Ashwin

But ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, Ashwin emphasized that India not only needs Arshdeep’s bowling for the final but also that the team should focus on developing the batting of tail-enders like him and Varun Chakravarthy ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’: “I’ll say this even with my glasses on! Even if you wake me up from deep sleep, my answer won’t change: Arshdeep must play. How many runs will the number 8 batsman make? Not too many, and you don’t need that many.

And for the World Cup in six months, work on Arshdeep’s batting, work on Varun Chakravarthy’s batting, and Bumrah can already hit a bit and has a decent bat swing. The batting coach needs to give more time to these guys.”

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Ravichandran Ashwin says Arshdeep Singh must play in the Asia Cup 2025 Final even if Hardik Pandya is out

The former Indian all-rounder has further pointed out that even if Hardik Pandya is unavailable due to his thigh injury, Arshdeep’s inclusion is a no-brainer for the big game on Sunday in Dubai and could be an opportunity for him to shine further.

Ashwin further added, “The way Arshdeep bowled, he proved again why we keep saying on this channel that Arshdeep is needed. Once more, he proved it. So, in many ways, if Hardik doesn’t play, India will have to play Arshdeep.

So, for India, Hardik is necessary, but this is one of those situations where it could also be good, because Arshdeep will get played and can again show why he’s that important bowler for India.”

Notably, India and Pakistan will clash in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, their first-ever meeting in an Asia Cup final. In T20Is, India dominates with 12 wins out of 15 matches, but Pakistan has historically performed better in major tournament finals, winning seven compared to India’s three across all formats.