Why Arshdeep Singh is Not Playing Today in IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026?

The most-awaited match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is finally happening between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bowl first and decided to go with the same playing XI as in the last game.

Meanwhile, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav announced two changes in the playing XI as Abhishek Sharma comes in for Sanju Samson while Arshdeep Singh makes place for chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav.

Why Arshdeep Singh is Not Playing Today Against Pakistan?

It was a shocker when Suryakumar revealed that the left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh is not playing the IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 match, as he is the highest Indian wicket-taker in the T20I format. If this wasn't enough, Arshdeep also has a good record against the Men in Green in the shortest format of the game.

However, the team management played a gamble by including Kuldeep Yadav as Arshdeep Singh replacement in the match. Interestingly, the surface in Colombo is pretty slow and might favour the spinners more. Adding to it, the ground's long dimensions might have prompted the team management to go ahead with Kuldeep.

With pitch likely to favor spin, India have gone with Kuldeep Yadav in this game. The left-arm wristspinner is one of the best spinners in the world and has troubled Pakistan before with his variations. It remains to be seen how the Men in Green play him this time around.

Arshdeep Singh's Exceptional Numbers in T20Is

As mentioned above, Arshdeep Singh is the highest wicket-taker for India in the T20I format. However, the Indian team has decided to go with only one proper pacer, Jasprit Bumrah with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube as the other all-round options. Bumrah, being the best bowler in the world, will be leading the attack here.

If we look at Arshdeep's numbers in the T20I format, they are outstanding. The left-arm pacer has played 78 T20I matches in his career, picking up 121 wickets at an average of 19.02. Also, Arshdeep is known for taking wickets with the new ball and is also a useful bowler at the death. His skills make him such a high-class player in this format.