Morne Morkel answers why Arshdeep Singh is frequently snubbed from the playing XI

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel clarifies why star pacer Arshdeep Singh is frequently benched, stating the management is trying different bowling combinations and looking at the "bigger picture" ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

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Before the fourth match on Thursday, Morne Morkel, the bowling coach for the Indian cricket team, held a news conference. He spoke out about Arshdeep Singh's frequent exclusion from the starting lineup during this time. Only one of the three games in the current series has included the bowler who has taken the most wickets for India in T20 internationals. He has also been disregarded on other occasions in the past. When Morkel was asked to respond to this query, he explained why.

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In the first two T20 Internationals of the series against Australia, Arshdeep Singh stated that the team is concentrating on experimenting with various bowling options while keeping the long-term in mind. 

Arshdeep made a spectacular comeback to the lineup in the third Twenty20 International after missing the first two, taking three wickets in his four-over performance while conceding 35 runs. He took two wickets during the powerplay and one during the final overs. The fast bowler won the match's Player of the Match award for his outstanding performance.

Bowling coach Morne Morkel stated on Wednesday that although Arshdeep Singh may have had a difficult time with selection, he has enough experience to realise that the Indian team management is experimenting with different combinations while keeping an eye on the wider picture.

"Arshdeep is experienced and he knows that we are looking at the bigger picture and trying out different combinations. He knows he is a world-class bowler and taken most wickets in the Powerplay,” Morkel told mediapersons ahead of the fourth T20 International in Carrara on Thursday.

“Yes, we will probably know one or two combinations that we set, but I think in this game you need to be adaptable. You need to know where certain players can give you options in different roles. And if you are not going to try those roles and see how they handle the pressure in those situations, you are never going to know,” he added.

“And I think with a World Cup around the corner, you do not want to leave any stones unturned. You do not want to sit two years down the line and say, if only we tried that, or give this combination a bit more time, it would have developed. So yes, I think it is about playing it smartly,” Morkel concluded on the matter.

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