Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron has called on the team management to retain the same bowling attack for the 3rd T20I against West Indies, scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026 at Holkar Stadium, Indore. Aaron made his views clear on Star Sports, stating that bowlers improve through experience and that the Ranchi defeat should serve as a learning opportunity rather than a reason for changes.
India failed to defend a total of 250 runs in the 2nd T20I at Ranchi on October 9, 2026. West Indies chased the target with 9 balls remaining, winning by 6 wickets to level the series at 1-1. Dew was identified as a major factor in India’s defeat on the night.
“Number one, I think India should play with the same bowling attack because that’s how the bowlers learn. That’s how somebody like Mayank learns. Again, Arshdeep, though he is so experienced – India’s No. 1 T20 bowler all-time – he also can learn. I thought Arshdeep was too full or too short,” Aaron said on Star Sports.
What did Aaron say about Arshdeep Singh’s performance in Ranchi?Aaron said on Star Sports:
Arshdeep Singh returned figures of 0/45 in 4 overs in the 2nd T20I, conceding 20 runs in his 2 Powerplay overs. Aaron acknowledged that Arshdeep is India’s all-time No. 1 T20 bowler but pointed out that the left-arm pacer erred with his lengths against West Indies in Ranchi, particularly against Rovman Powell.
“He could have just stuck to his lengths, especially bowling against somebody like Rovman Powell, who is very, very dicey when you bowl on the good length. Again, Arshdeep, good learnings from this game. Come back next game and hit your lengths, especially with the new ball,” Aaron said.
Despite the expensive outing, Aaron’s position remained that dropping Arshdeep would be the wrong call. His view was that a bowler of Arshdeep’s standing should be given the opportunity to correct his lengths in the next match rather than be replaced.
How did Aaron assess Mayank Yadav’s showing in the 2nd T20I?
Mayank Yadav was the standout bowler for India in the 2nd T20I, taking 3 wickets for 36 runs in 3 overs. He dismissed both Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell bowled, producing two clean-bowled dismissals on a surface that Aaron noted did not support bowlers. Aaron praised Mayank’s impact, and also pointed to an area where the speedster could improve.
“His pace and his ability to bowl unbelievable deliveries – to make a play out of nowhere where the wicket did not support bowlers at all. That’s what Mayank Yadav can do, and that’s why India play him – to bowl these kind of deliveries, to get two bowleds, to get two great batsmen out clean bowled, clean them all ends up. Mayank Yadav can get slightly more consistent with his lengths, and you would see better and bigger results. But I think, at the end of the day, Mayank Yadav is going to be mightily pleased, especially with that delivery (to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer) and then this one (to dismiss Rovman Powell),” Aaron said.
