Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan sparked a social media stir on Wednesday with a short but telling post on X (formerly Twitter) — simply writing, “Arshdeep Singh…” — moments after India announced their playing XI for the 1st T20I against Australia in Canberra.

The tweet, which has already drawn thousands of views and reactions, appeared to be a subtle remark on Team India’s decision to leave out left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh from the opening match. Fans were quick to connect Pathan’s post with the squad selection, questioning the absence of the Punjab seamer known for his death-over accuracy.

Team combination under scrutiny

India fielded Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav as part of their bowling attack, opting for Axar Patel and Shivam Dube to strengthen the all-round options. While the lineup covered variety, many analysts felt Arshdeep’s left-arm angle could have added balance — especially on the seamer-friendly surface of Manuka Oval.

Pathan’s post, without further elaboration, triggered a wave of responses from fans and cricket experts, with some interpreting it as a subtle critique of team management’s strategy ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup preparations.

Match context

India were 43/1 in 5 overs before rain halted play, with Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav at the crease after Nathan Ellis dismissed Abhishek Sharma.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and based on live match and social media updates.

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