Overview

• In the Dubai opener against the UAE, India used Jasprit Bumrah as the only specialist pacer with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube supporting and three spinners, and won comfortably as the slow bowlers dominated.
• Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said there is no agenda in selection and that choices reflect what the captain and head coach believe is best for the team.
• PTI-sourced reporting said Arshdeep Singh recently aced the Bronco fitness test and completed intensive drills without close physio monitoring, suggesting no injury concern.
• Ravichandran Ashwin linked the decision to Gautam Gambhir's preference for batting depth and spin options and urged India to include an extra seamer in home conditions.
• Arshdeep remains on 99 T20I wickets and has not featured for India since early 2025, heightening scrutiny of his absence as World Cup planning begins.