Asia Cup 2025: ‘Can you think about Arshdeep?’ - Irfan Pathan on India's XI for Super 4 clash against Pakistan

Published - 21 Sept 2025, 18:54 IST | Updated - 21 Sept 2025, 18:54 IST

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has speculated on whether India will include left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in their Super Four clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, September 21. Pathan expressed that he would opt for Arshdeep, but noted that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and the team management might consider other options.

India will face their arch-rivals in the second Super Four match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the first Super Four game at the same venue a day earlier, Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets. Pathan made these observations while discussing India’s likely bowling attack for the clash against Pakistan.

"I will stick to my words, what I said before the start of the Asia Cup. I would want to see Arshdeep play with (Jasprit) Bumrah because a situation could come where you might need a second fast bowler. When the ball gets wet and you are under pressure, is Hardik's (Pandya) strength bowling six yorkers, or can Shivam Dube bowl those yorkers consistently?," Pathan said on Sony Sports.

“There will be a question there. That's why, can you think about Arshdeep? However, it's difficult to change a team that's been playing and winning. You wouldn't want to play a batter less as well. It's a tough decision. I would have done differently, but the team is thinking differently," he added.

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In the same discussion, former Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nayar raised the question of whether India would stick with the same playing XI that featured in their first two games of the Asia Cup.

"It seems like that. Varun Chakaravarthy will return. You will see that one change for sure. However, it will have to be seen whether they will play with Arshdeep or get in another batter. I feel they will have the same team that was playing earlier. You won't see too many changes," Nayar said.

"Spin bowlers have had an impact in Dubai. Bumrah will return and Hardik, who is bowling well, is there. So do you need a third seamer? Dube hasn't bowled badly at all thus far. He has played his role. He will definitely give you one or two overs. So, if you see the overall formation of that team, it's right for these conditions," he concluded.

Arshdeep was not part of India’s playing XI in the group match against Pakistan on September 14, which the Men in Blue won by seven wickets. The left-arm pacer had returned figures of 1/37 in his four-over spell in India’s last group game against Oman in Abu Dhabi on Friday, September 19.