ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Arshdeep Singh to start over Gautam Gambhir’s favorite in India XI
Published - 17 Feb 2025, 11:09 AM | Updated - 17 Feb 2025, 11:34 PM
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India National Cricket Team management is likely to favor Arshdeep Singh over Harshit Rana in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It is learned that the left-arm pacer will be given a nod ahead because of the variations that he has.
Harshit Rana was added late into the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as a replacement after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament. The pacer played all three games of the series against England, and it was speculated that he would be playing in the tournament as well.
Harshit Rana played all three games against England as management wanted to test him
But it is learned that Harshit Rana was given all three games because team management led by Gautam Gambhir wanted to see if he could fill in the shoes of Jasprit Bumrah, according to PTI. Also, it was the only series where the team could've tested Mohammed Shami's fitness as well.
Hence, Arshdeep Singh was rested in the first two games before he made a return to the XI in the third game. The left-arm pacer is seen as far superior to Harshit Rana by the team management, who believe that Arshdeep's ability to bring the ball back to the right-handers will be handy.
Arshdeep Singh has developed himself as one of the finest Indian pacers in the white-ball cricket, especially in T20Is. The pacer is the leading wicket-taker for the team in the format and also has a decent record in his short ODI career so far.
Arshdeep Singh also played a key role for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
Arshdeep Singh, who picked two wickets in the last ODI against England, so far has played 9 games and has an economy rate of 5.17. He also has one fifer under his belt, and the reports claimed that he will be ahead on most counts and will be more suited to the conditions available at the Dubai International Stadium.
Arshdeep Singh also played a key role for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He was the joint leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 scalps under his belt. His heroics with the ball helped India to end their title drought as they won the ICC event after 11 years.
If I had to choose one among the two as Mohammed Shami's partner, it has to be Arshdeep - Devang Gandhi
Former India selector Devang Gandhi lauded Harshit Rana for his growth but he openly mentioned that Arshdeep Singh should be played ahead of the Delhi pacer. He pointed out how the left-arm seamer swings the ball both ways. Speaking to PTI, he said:
"Harshit has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of reducing his weight and has become sharper in terms of speed. But if I had to choose one among the two as Mohammed Shami's partner, it has to be Arshdeep as he can swing the ball both ways and is a left-arm. I would be a trifle surprised if Harshit starts ahead of Arshdeep."
