AUS vs IND 2025: Twitter Reactions - Fans lash out at Gautam Gambhir and Co. after Arshdeep Singh's snub, Harshit Rana's selection in 1st T20I

Arshdeep Singh, India's leading wicket-taker in the shortest format, couldn't find a place in the playing XI for the first T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday.

Published - 29 Oct 2025, 15:46 IST | Updated - 29 Oct 2025, 16:43 IST

11 Min Read

Arshdeep Singh, India's leading wicket-taker in the shortest format, couldn't find a place in the playing XI for the first T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29. While this didn't sit well with a section of the Indian cricket fans, what irked them even more was that Harshit Rana was picked as Jasprit Bumrah's seam-bowling partner in the side.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has been at the receiving end of trolls and criticism in recent months as he has given many opportunities to Rana despite the Kolkata Knight Riders' bowler failing to make much of an impression. He did bag a four-for in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, but fans questioned the logic behind him getting the nod ahead of Arshdeep in the first T20I. Arshdeep has been an integral part of India's T20 setup for quite some time. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup last year.

Even in the Asia Cup last month, Arshdeep bowled a brilliant Super Over against Sri Lanka and helped India maintain their winning streak in the competition. As the Asia Cup was played in the United Arab Emirates and Hardik Pandya was in the side, India opted to go in with only one specialist seamer in Jasprit Bumrah. In the inconsequential games against Oman and Sri Lanka, the Men in Blue gave opportunities to Arshdeep and Rana.

However, in Australia, Arshdeep was expected to share the new ball with Bumrah, especially with Hardik being sidelined due to an injury. When Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav announced at the toss that Arshdeep was among the players sitting out, the fans took to social media to vent out their frustration.

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Take a look at how 'X' users reacted to Arshdeep Singh being left out of the playing XI for 1st T20I versus Australia:

Aditya Soni@imAdsoni

India's highest wicket taker in T20Is, Arshdeep Singh isn't playing, wow man unreal politics.

01:34 PM · Oct 29, 2025

247

Aufridi Chumtya@ShuhidAufridi

Wtf, You Are Playing Harshit Rana In The Playing 11 Before Arshdeep Singh, The Best Bowler Of India In T20i. Unreal Politics Bc 🤡.

01:25 PM · Oct 29, 2025

656

कृष्णा@iiamkrshn

Arshdeep singh >>> farzi rana anyday 🤡

01:28 PM · Oct 29, 2025

588

Rajiv@Rajiv1841

WTF!!!! Arshdeep Singh who is India's all time highest wicket taker in T2OI, performed everywhere he played is dropped from team India's XI for KKR's Parchi Harshit Rana again!!!! Harshit may take a fifer here but this won't be justified. What Arsh has done to Dumb Gambhir??

01:24 PM · Oct 29, 2025

3.3K

383

Stumper@TheStumpStory

Now , this actually is shameless behaviour from Gautam Gambhir . He always keeps dropping Arshdeep from the playing 11 and gives long rope to Harshit Rana despite poor performances . I mean this utter bullshit , how can someone not raise their voice against this shameful act

01:35 PM · Oct 29, 2025

255

TukTuk Academy@TukTuk_Academy

-Gill ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal -Harshit Rana ahead of Arshdeep GG era day by day 🥶

01:49 PM · Oct 29, 2025

6.6K

604

Dhillon@sehajdhillon_

Gambhir is ruining Arshdeep Singh's career by benching him for no reason. Someone should tell Dumbhir that Arshdeep is the all time Highest wicket taker of India in T20s. He did nothing wrong to be out of the XI. This is just blind favouritism towards KKR Parchi Harshit Rana.

01:44 PM · Oct 29, 2025

166

VIKAS@Vikas662005

No Arshdeep Singh in 1st T20 🤯 Highest wicket taker for India in T20 is not in Playing XI. GOAT Harshit Rana is playing in place of Arshdeep Singh. Wow Coach Gautam Gambhir. Politics Gautam Gambhir favouritism..!!