Not Shubman Gill! India's 1st Bronco Test topper OUT

Team India pace bowler Arshdeep Singh made headlines ahead of the team's Asia Cup 2025 opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai on Wednesday, September 10. The left-arm pacer had topped the Bronco test among Indian fast bowlers at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Team India will face the United Arab Emirates in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Ahead of the clash, the Indian players trained extensively at the ICC Academy. They will be hoping to begin the tournament on a positive note. The Men in Blue enter the contest as clear favorites.

Arshdeep Singh Tops Fitness Test Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Ahead of India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener, Arshdeep Singh focused on fitness over bowling during practice sessions. The pacer worked extensively on drills designed to improve speed and endurance rather than spending time in the nets.

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About a week earlier, the Indian team underwent the Bronco fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. All players, including top stars like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah, participated in the assessment.

"PTI can confirm that during his stint at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru, Arshdeep had topped the Bronco test among the fast bowlers," the report read.

Arshdeep Singh emerged as the best performer among the fast bowlers. During the drills, which involved repeated sprints over distances of 10, 20, and 40 meters under the supervision of strength coach Adrian Le Roux, he maintained controlled pacing while executing shuttle exercises.

Arshdeep Singh Expected to Feature in India’s Playing XI Against UAE

Arshdeep Singh is expected to feature in India’s playing XI against the UAE. He has already established himself as a key T20I bowler. The 26-year-old left-arm pacer, who debuted in June 2022, has taken 99 wickets in 63 matches and was part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.

Jasprit Bumrah may share the new ball with Arshdeep. There has been discussion over whether Sanju Samson will make the XI. With Shubman Gill returning as vice-captain, he could open alongside the explosive left-hander Abhishek Sharma.

Afghanistan outplayed Hong Kong on the opening night of the Asia Cup 2025. The Rashid Khan-led team secured a 94-run victory at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Arshdeep Set to Become First Indian Bowler with 100 T20I Wickets

Arshdeep Singh is on the verge of becoming the first Indian bowler to reach 100 wickets in T20 internationals. He leads India’s T20I wicket-taking charts ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal (96), Hardik Pandya (94), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (90), and Jasprit Bumrah (89).

Arshdeep surpassed several senior bowlers to become India’s most successful T20I bowler. He has a chance to break the world record for the fastest 100 T20I wickets.

Bahrain cricketer Mohammad Rizwan Butt achieved the landmark in 66 matches. Arshdeep can complete the milestone in just his 64th T20I.

Also read: Pakistan officially surrenders before the Indian team ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 clash