Is Arshdeep Singh playing in today's IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 final?

A couple of days ago, Team India seamer Arshdeep Singh proved to be the catalyst in their thrilling win over Sri Lanka in the Super 4 clash at the Dubai International Stadium as he bowled an outstanding Super Over. Although the left-arm seamer made a strong case to be included in the final, he has been left out of the playing 11.

The 26-year-old, who made his T20I debut in 2022, has risen to become one of Team India's most effective bowlers in the shortest format. The group-stage clash against Oman saw him become the first Indian bowler to take 100 T20I wickets. He has played whenever the Men in Blue have rested Jasprit Bumrah in any game.

It was the same case against Sri Lanka, as the defending champions rested Bumrah and drafted Harshit Rana and Arshdeep in the line-up. Although the youngster conceded 26 runs in his first two wicketless overs, he came back at the death to take the crucial wicket of Kamindu Mendis. With the match going into the Super Over, Arshdeep conceded only two runs and got the required couple of wickets to bowl Sri Lanka out. India won comfortably.

"Under pressure, he asks for the ball" - Irfan Pathan on Arshdeep Singh

Irfan Pathan. (Image Credits: Irfan Pathan X)

Following the game against Sri Lanka, ex-Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan strongly advocated for the 26-year-old's spot in the XI for the final. He opined that Arshdeep bowls as high-quality a yorker as Bumrah. While speaking to broadcasters, Pathan said (as quoted by India Today):

"Look, first of all, he’s as cool as ice, mate. Under pressure, he asks for the ball. He bowls when it matters, and whenever it’s the last over, he nails the yorkers. He’s ready. Shoulder to shoulder with Bumrah, he delivers those yorkers. I think he’s a bowler of that quality. I’ve been saying this from day one — it’s not just about today. He should always be in the playing XI, because there are situations when you need yorkers from both ends. You saw it yourself today — the match went right down to the wire."

In the final, India will start as firm favorites against Pakistan, having already beaten their arch-rivals twice in the tournament.