IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Arshdeep Singh tore through the New Zealand batting order with a brilliant five-wicket haul in Thiruvananthapuram today. However, these headlines hide serious flaws that could hurt India’s chances at the T20 World Cup 2026. While he looks dominant on paper, a closer look at his bowling reveals big gaps in his game. The team management needs to fix these problems immediately.
IND vs NZ 5th T20I: 3 Big Problems Regarding Arshdeep Singh Going Into The T20 World Cup 2026
1: The Economy Rate Paradox
The biggest issue is that Arshdeep Singh still gives away runs at an alarming rate. Top teams will definitely pounce on this during the World Cup. Even while taking wickets against the Kiwis, he kept getting hit for boundaries. In fact, one over alone cost 23 runs. Wickets often hide the fact that a bowler lacks discipline.
India and Sri Lanka will likely provide flat pitches with plenty of dew during the tournament. Aggressive batters will find it easy to attack his inconsistent lengths on those surfaces. When the ball doesn’t swing early on, he often struggles to keep things tight. That puts a ton of pressure on the spinners to fix the situation in the middle overs.
2: The Selection Headache Caused by a Long Tail
Having Arshdeep in the team also creates a problem for India’s batting depth. Former players like Mohammad Kaif have pointed this out many times. Modern T20 teams need players who can bat at number eight or nine, but Arshdeep contributes very little with the bat.
So, the management must make a tough choice between him and young all-rounders like Harshit Rana. A player like Rana gives the lower order much more muscle. If the top order fails in a big knockout game, India cannot afford a number 10 who struggles to get off strike. This makes Arshdeep’s one-dimensional role a huge risk for the squad.
3: Over-Reliance on Swing Conditions
Lastly, his bowling effectiveness falls off a cliff when the ball isn’t swinging. The Thiruvananthapuram pitch did not help him early on, and he gave away runs at an alarming rate.
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The numbers show a clear trend. When the pitch is flat and the ball stays still, Arshdeep Singh lacks the tricks to bother a settled batter. He desperately needs a better, slower ball or a more reliable wide yorker. If he doesn’t find a way to adapt, he will likely struggle on the flat tracks waiting for the team in February.
