Arshdeep's snub in the second ODI against New Zealand drew backlash after India failed to defend 285.
The Indian team management has come under the scanner for making Arshdeep Singh warm the bench in the first two ODIs against New Zealand at home.
The left-arm quick was excellent in the preceding three-ODI series against South Africa, claiming at least one wicket in each game for a total of five scalps at an average of 30.80. However, the Indian think tank opted to go with Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna as three pacers against the Kiwis in Vadodara and Rajkot.
Even though India skipper Shubman Gill addressed Arshdeep’s omission as 'rotation' after the series opener, the latter’s snub in the second ODI drew backlash as the hosts failed to defend a target of 285.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif slammed India’s selection in the ongoing ODI series, questioning Arshdeep's exclusion and taking aim at the continued backing of Krishna.
Kaif dismissed the excuse of a below-par total against New Zealand in Rajkot, stressing that World Cup-winning teams need to defend modest scores.
"You are leaving out Arshdeep, who is a wicket-taker and looking to groom Prasidh Krishna. He always goes for runs except in a game or two. If someone says 280 runs were less and that's why India could not win, then I do not see this team winning the World Cup. Sometimes they will be 15-20 runs under par. If you want to win the World Cup, you will have to learn to win games with 270-280 runs as well. You have to learn to win games with the ball when the score is under par," Kaif said.
Kaif also played down the impact of dew, advising the team management and players to focus on finding ways to adapt and win irrespective of conditions.
"There will always be dew. I feel there should be less focus on these things and more focus on the method to win. Look at how you can bowl even in the dew. You will have to learn to do this," he added.
India made a winning start to the series, beating New Zealand by four wickets in Vadodara. The seven-wicket thrashing in Rajkot has set up a series-decider in Indore on Sunday (January 18).