Former pacer Varun Aaron has questioned the Indian team management’s decision to bench Arshdeep Singh for the first two T20Is of the ongoing five-match series against Australia.

Arshdeep is India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, claiming 101 scalps in 65 matches played so far. Despite his impressive record in the shortest format, the left-arm quick was ignored as the Indian think tank opted to go with Harshit Rana in Canberra and Melbourne.

While the series opener in Canberra was abandoned due to rain after only 9.4 overs were bowled in the match, India lost the second T20I at MCG by four wickets.

The Men in Blue were bowled out for 125 in 18.4 overs and Australia chased down the below-par target with 40 deliveries to spare.

Following India’s defeat, Aaron stressed that the visitors needed a wicket-taking bowler like Arshdeep Singh in their lineup.

“You've got to take wickets to win games. Today was a night where India needed wickets. If Arshdeep was playing, he would’ve bowled much fuller than the other bowlers in the Indian team. Not Bumrah, obviously, he’s an anomaly. He can do anything on any wicket. But Arshdeep is one of those bowlers who can really utilize conditions, especially with the new ball,” said Aaron on Star Sports.

Moreover, Aaron mentioned that Arshdeep is the team’s second-best death bowler after Jasprit Bumrah, which makes his case for selection even stronger.

“He deserves a place in the side without a doubt, because he can swing the ball up front, and I think after Bumrah he's India's best death bowler. So I think it might just be a case where the Indian team wants to test Harshit Rana early in the series and give him a few games and test out their bench strength as well. That's the only logic I see. But otherwise, Arshdeep has to be a starter in the team,” he added.

With this victory in Melbourne, Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The third T20I will be played in Hobart on Sunday (November 2).