IND vs NZ 2026: 'Happy to see him back' - Ajinkya Rahane delighted with Arshdeep Singh's inclusion for 3rd ODI

Published - 18 Jan 2026, 16:54 IST | Updated - 18 Jan 2026, 17:18 IST

Experienced Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has voiced delight on Arshdeep Singh's inclusion in India's XI for the third and final One-Day International of the ongoing series against New Zealand. Arshdeep was on the bench for the first two matches of the ongoing white-ball series but made a comeback into the team for the series finale in place of Prasidh Krishna.

Before listing down the left-arm seamer's strengths, Rahane hoped Arshdeep had had suitable communication with the team management as to the reasons which kept him on the bench for the first two matches in Vadodara and Rajkot.

"I hope there is a conversation between him and the management as to why he wasn't playing. But Arshdeep is someone who'll get better while playing matches, as he needs that rhythm. Happy to see Arshdeep back in the ODI XI. He can pick up early wickets while swinging the ball both ways and has the ability to deliver in the middle and death overs also. At times, he can bluff the batter as well by setting up a different field. The left-arm angle is also important," Rahane shared via Cricbuzz Live.

The legendary left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan was also a part of the same discussion. As per Zaheer, Arshdeep has been a vital component of India's white-ball squad and will be an important asset for the Men in Blue as far as next year's World Cup is concerned.

"If someone tells Arshdeep he needs to bowl with more pace, he suddenly strives for that instead of focusing on the swing, variations and situations of the game. Suddenly, he will think that to be part of this XI, he has to add that yard of speed. If the communication is managed well, then it's fine. We have to see with Arshdeep what the situation is. But when you look at the big World Cup in 2027, he should be an integral part of the playing XI," Zaheer said.

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Arshdeep made an instant impact in the ongoing third ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium. He struck on the fourth delivery of the match to dismiss the New Zealand opener Henry Nicholls for a golden duck to provide the hosts with just the start they would have hoped for. India are relying on Arshdeep's 10 overs in what is a series-deciding clash in Indore.