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After missing out on the first two T20Is, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh finally got his much-awaited opportunity in the third T20I against Australia, currently underway at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. India made three changes to their playing XI, bringing in Arshdeep, Jitesh Sharma, and Washington Sundar in place of Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Arshdeep Singh gives India a cracking start
India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first, and his decision paid off instantly as Arshdeep provided a dream start for the visitors. The left-arm pacer struck in the very first over, removing the dangerous Travis Head on just the fourth ball of the match.
Arshdeep didn’t stop there. Returning for his second over, he continued his fiery spell and dismissed Josh Inglis on the third ball, leaving the hosts reeling early in their innings. His ability to swing the new ball and maintain discipline under pressure proved crucial as India looked to bounce back after losing the second T20I.
The 26-year-old pacer has been one of India’s most consistent bowlers in the T20I format in recent years, especially known for his death-over accuracy. His impactful comeback immediately grabbed attention — both for his performance and for the decision to bench him in the earlier games.
Fans troll Gautam Gambhir after Arshdeep’s explosive start
As Arshdeep set the tone for India with his early breakthroughs, fans took to social media to express both joy and frustration. Many fans questioned head coach Gautam Gambhir’s decision to keep Arshdeep out of the first two matches of the series. Supporters argued that Arshdeep, being one of India’s leading T20I wicket-takers in recent times, should have been part of the playing XI from the beginning. His fiery spell against Australia prompted a flood of reactions, memes, and sarcastic comments aimed at Gambhir, with many saying that the pacer had ‘answered with the ball.’
Here’s how fans reacted:
Hello Gautam Gambhir, this is Arshdeep Singh for you.
Best Indian bowler in T20Is. 🗿
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket)
🚨Gautam Gambhir:-Arshdeep Singh bowled really well and picked up early 2Wkts for India. So, Harshit Rana will play next 15 matches without interuption.
Meanwhile:-India
— Murari Tyamjan (@greatgrandgood5)
Arshdeep Singh looking towards Gambhir
— g0v!ñD $#@®mA (@rishu_1809)
Hello Gautam Gambhir, this is Arshdeep Singh for you.
Best Indian bowler in T20Is. 🗿
— CeaseFire (@ceasefire_01)
Arshdeep Singh Cooked Gautam Gambhir with his aggressive Celebration
Best t20i bowler of India ❤️
— Amit Panghal (@Amitpanghal455)
For the last six months, Gautam Gambhir has shown favoritism toward his player Harshit Rana, while continuously ignoring several match-winners like Arshdeep, it’s a complete slap on Gambhir & their fans faces.
Arshdeep took 2 in 2 overs. 🔥
— Ocean Singh (@ocean_singh10)
Gautam Gambhir after seeing Arshdeep singh today
— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol)
🚨 SINGH IS Always 👑🔥
Arshdeep roars back into the team & destroys the top order with 2 wickets in his first spell!
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir’s favoritism EXPOSED , real talent doesn’t need lobby, it speaks with the ball!
— Manakdeep Singh Kharaud (@Iam_MKharaud)
Arshdeep Singh is back 🥶
He has picked the wickets of Travis Head & Josh Inglis. He has been the beast of the Indian team; I still can't figure out why Gautam Gambhir benched him in the last 3 games.
Tight slap to Gautam Gambhir 👊
— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy)
🔸Arshdeep Singh's First over: Travis Head out
🔸Arshdeep Singh's Second over: Josh InglishA tight slap on Gautam Gambhir's face👋
— Raja Sheoran (@rajasheoran5)
So Arshdeep Singh took 2 early wickets now it's confirmed for Harshit Rana, Gautam Gambhir is now fixed spot for next 10 matches.
Ajit Agarkar is now selecting another opponent of Harshit Rana— Roxy Sinner (@SinnerRoxy)
Arshdeep Singh Cooked Gautam Gambhir with his aggressive Celebration. 🔥
– You gave me rest in 2 matches.
– Why am I the No. 1 bowler in world cricket.
— Yorker__93™ (@Boom__93)
After so much outrage, Gambhir was forced to drop his KKR Parchi Harshit Rana & look we have Travis Head's wicket in very first over.
Arshdeep Singh is India's best T20I bowler alongside Bumrah & as Ashwin says, he should be in starting XI in every given situation. Period❤️
— DR Yadav (@DrYadav5197)
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are playing together for the first time since India vs. South Africa T20 world cup final. Gautam Gambhir has truly broken up the team .
— Tweet Tonic 🇮🇳 (@Gujarat1999)
Just a reminder Gautam Gambhir selected Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh in T20Is . 😭😭
— Lokesh Saini (@LokeshVirat18K)
Arshdeep Singh comes in the 11 and takes a wicket in the first over. Tight slap on the face of that dog Gambhir. Arshdeep owns travis head 😱
— Kamlesh Yadav (@Kamljnp)
ARSHDEEP SINGH SHUTS THE MOUTH OF GAUTAM GAMBHIR 🙊
– Harshit played 3 ODI and 2 T20 and gives runs like batter.
– After taking two wickets in first two over of head and inglish he showed that by PR he didn't became T20 best fast bowler for India, his bowling skills make him…
— Chiku 👑 (@mrsnowwhite1000)
Arshdeep Singh is straight away showing mirror to Coach Gautam Gambhir.
– 2 big wickets in 2 overs & Travis Head, Josh Inglis.
Arshdeep got dropped for KKR Parchi Harshit Rana in last ODIs vs Australia, he got dropped from Playing XI for Rana in Champions Trophy 2025 & also got…
— MANU. (@IMManu_18)