India’s legendary spinner Anil Kumble believes Arshdeep Singh should be kept in the Indian playing XI if the team decides to play only two specialist fast bowlers in the West Indies leg. The renowned former Indian captain believes Mohammed Siraj, the right-arm pacer, should be eliminated from the three-man pace attack to make room for another spinner in the lineup.

Arshdeep produced an excellent performance against the USA on Wednesday, taking four wickets while conceding just 9 runs. I think the way Arshdeep that last over against arch-rivals Pakistan, and also the way he can bowl in different areas in the T20 game, I think certainly puts him ahead of Mohammed Siraj, Kumble said.

If at all India takes that option of going with just the two seamers and Hardik Pandya. So yes, in that sense, plus he also gives you an extra variety with his left-arm pace. So overall, he must be happy, the former India coach added. Kumble also stated that Jasprit Bumrah is India’s first choice for the pace attack and that Arshdeep should partner him alongside all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

The left-arm pacer has been a standout for India in the T20 World Cup thus far, picking up seven wickets in three matches with an economy rate of 6.22 and strike rate of 10.28. In contrast, 30-year-old Siraj has struggled, managing to take only one wicket in three games with a strike rate of 66. Men in Blue are gearing up to Canada in their final Group stage match at Lauderhill, Florida, on June 15, Saturday before heading to the Caribbean.