New Delhi: Team India’s selection for the first ODI match against New Zealand has sparked outrage on social media after Arshdeep Singh was dropped from the playing XI in Vadodara on Saturday, January 11. The left-arm pacer was overlooked as Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna were included in the team along with Mohammed Siraj, who returned to ODI action after missing out since the ODI series against Australia last year.

As Shubman Gill-led India won the toss and elected to bowl first, the absence of Arshdeep quickly became a talking point on social media. He featured in all three ODI matches against South Africa before this series and was one of the most consistent fast bowlers.

He took five wickets at an economy of 5.50 in the ODI series against the Proteas. In comparison, Rana picked up four wickets in the same series at an economy of 6.39, while Prasidh took seven wickets but was very expensive throughout the series, conceding at an economy of 7.80.

He was also in a brilliant form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, claiming a five-wicket haul in the domestic tournament against Sikkim. Fans criticised head coach Gautam Gambhir and questioned his continuous backing of Harshit over Arshdeep.

Fans slam Indian team management for dropping Arshdeep Singh

They dropped Arshdeep Singh who was the most economical bowler for India in the last ODI series but run-machine Prasidh Krishna is still in the Playing 11.

This is blatant favouritism!!! pic.twitter.com/H8X4M5GY4o

— Dhillon (@sehajdhillon_) January 11, 2026

~Dropped from 2 T20i vs Eng
~Dropped from 2 ODIs vs Eng
~Dropped from CT
~Didn’t got a single game in Eng test series
~Dropped from many Asia Cup matches
~Dropped from 3rd Odi vs Aus
~Dropped from 1st T20i vs Aus
~Dropped from 1st Odi vs NZ
What is Arshdeep Singh doing wrong? pic.twitter.com/P0Yhjtnp5H

— Parv 🚩 (@ParvCryEmoji) January 11, 2026

It’s really frustrating to see Arshdeep left out again, while Prasidh, who has already leaked so many runs, keeps getting chances. You seriously wonder what kind of mindset the selectors are using while making these calls. Even Prasidh himself must be thinking that Arshdeep has… pic.twitter.com/VIDTRfWcXw

— Anuj Yadav 🇮🇳 (@Hello_anuj) January 11, 2026

So you are telling me we are going with Prasidh Krishna instead of Arshdeep Singh. Isn’t it obvious favouritism pic.twitter.com/mE8Fb2fPPd

— Perk 💸 (@arrestagarkar) January 11, 2026

Arshdeep Singh gets dropped again for Prasidh Krishna and GG’s favourite Harshit Rana.

Who was the most economical bowler for India in the last ODI series pic.twitter.com/iJoMQ8c2H0

— ® (@NitinNabin_) January 11, 2026

India and New Zealand playing XI for 1st ODI

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay(w), Michael Bracewell(c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok.