IND vs SA 2025: 'Those 8 overs are worth a lot more' - Ex-India opener on choice between Bumrah-Arshdeep and Varun-Kuldeep combos after 1st T20I

Aakash Chopra opined that India need to play Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together as they can be more formidable together than the Kuldeep Yadav-Varun Chakaravarthy duo. According to the former India opener, Bumrah and Arshdeep's overs at the start of the innings and at the death could be more beneficial for the Men in Blue.

During the Asia Cup in September, India had opted to play Kuldeep and Varun together, with Jasprit Bumrah being the only specialist pacer in the side. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube contributed as seam-bowling all-rounders. On the tour of Australia, however, Hardik was sidelined due to an injury, and India shifted to the two-pacer and two-seamer combination. Kuldeep, Varun, Bumrah, and Harshit Rana played together in the first two T20Is before Arshdeep replaced the latter for the last three games.

Upon returning to subcontinental conditions for the five-match T20I series against South Africa and with Hardik back in the side, many expected that Bumrah would once again play the role of the lone specialist seamer, with Varun and Kuldeep playing in tandem. However, India threw a curveball by playing Arshdeep and leaving Kuldeep out in the first T20Is, which was held at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9.

"Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh were played, and it was the first time in their careers that they played a T20I in India together. I can't believe it. Both have taken 100 wickets and even once they hadn't played a T20I together in India. We didn't even play them together in the Asia Cup," Chopra said while speaking in a video on his YouTube channel.

"If both of them play, Kuldeep and Varun cannot play together. So you will always ask the question as to what puts you in a better position. Are Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh greater than Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav? I do feel Bumrah and Arshdeep give you a bit more because they secure the top and tail. Those eight overs are worth a lot more," he added.

The move worked wonders for India as they bowled out South Africa for 74 after setting a target of 176. Bumrah and Arshdeep bagged two wickets apiece. Varun and Axar Patel also chipped in with two wickets apiece as India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.