"There is a bigger picture": Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel on management's decision to drop Arshdeep Singh

India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has shed light on the team management’s decision to rest India's leading wicket-taker in T20I, Arshdeep Singh, for the first two matches of the ongoing T20I five-match series against Australia. Morkel stated the move was part of a broader strategy to test different bowling combinations.

"I think Arshdeep is experienced, he understands that there is also a bigger picture where we are trying different combinations. He knows he is a world-class bowler, he has taken the most wickets for us in the PowerPlay, so we know how valuable he is to the team. But for us on the day, on this tour, it is also just to have a look at other combinations and he understands that," Morkel said while talking to reporters.

Morkel noted that there will be disappointment in terms of selection but asserted the value of testing different combinations ahead of the T20I World Cup next year.

"It is not easy. There will always be disappointment in terms of selection, but that is something at times that as a player is uncontrollable. For us, from our side, we just keep on asking them to work hard and try hard and be ready for when they do get the opportunity. And like you said, there are limited games now leading into the T20 World Cup, so it is important for us to see how guys can react in certain situations under pressure, otherwise it will be unknown for us."

Morkel further highlighted the importance of having different options available.

"You need to have options available. I think every team, if you look across the world, are playing around with options. Yes, we will probably know one or two combinations that we set, but I think in this game you need to be adaptable. You need to know where certain players can give you options in different roles."

"And I think with a world cup around the corner, you do not want to leave any stones unturned. You do not want to sit two years down the line and say, if only we tried that or give this combination a bit more time, it would have developed. So yes, I think it is about playing it smartly."