File photo of Jasprit Bumrah

Harshit Rana has been the flavour of the season as far as India’s emerging crop of fast bowlers is concerned but one of head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s finds is unlikely to start in India’s playing eleven in the Champions Trophy with Arshdeep Singh still considered way ahead in terms of talent and quality. The Indian team management gave Harshit all three ODIs against England, and if one is absolutely fair to the burly 6-feet-2-inch tall Delhi speedster, he has not looked out of place.

While Arshdeep enjoys a better economy rate of 5.17 compared to Harshit’s 6.95 per over, it is the former’s ability to bring the ball back into the right-handers during the Powerplay overs that will tilt the scales in his favour in the tournament starting February 19.

Arshdeep, who also has only nine ODIs since he made his debut in a short ODI series in New Zealand in 2022, will be ahead on most counts when one looks at the parameters that would be taken into account based on the conditions available at the Dubai International Stadium.

“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-armer.

“I would be a trifle surprised if Harshit starts ahead of Arshdeep,” former national selector Devang Gandhi, who has also seen Rana from close quarters as Delhi Ranji coach, told PTI.

India will start with a clash against Bangladesh on February 20 here.

It is understood that Harshit started in all three games against England because the team management, currently helmed by Gautam Gambhir, wanted to check out if his protege could be considered as Jasprit Bumrah‘s replacement, and also this was the only series where Shami’s fitness could also have been tested in real terms.

Hence, Arshdeep was rested in the first two games and only got a chance when the think-tank decided to rest Shami, who had played back to back ODIs.

Former India opener WV Raman, one of the most respected coaches in the country, feels experience will be a key factor which should go in favour of the Punjab pacer.

“Arshdeep, due to his relative experience and the left arm being a different dimension, has an advantage. The Dubai track will be decent for the pacers,” Raman observed.

He also raised a key point about playing multi-nation event compared to bilateral series.

“A bit more experience always helps in ICC events, which is a different ball game from bilaterals. In ICC event, you will play different opposition every day and accordingly an experienced bowler changes his plans,” said Raman, who has also been India U-19 batting coach and head coach of the national women’s team.

Gandhi, on his part, also pointed out the options Arshdeep brings to the table in various phases of the match.

“Harshit hits deck and gets it to move a bit both ways after pitching along with those effective occasional heavy balls in the range of mid 140s. But when you have Arshdeep, he can swing the new ball and also use angles of the crease effectively when he comes round the wicket during death overs,” he explained.

An NCA Level 2 coach, who had watched the India U-19 team play in Dubai during the Asia Cup, had observed that there is at least five to six inches more bounce on offer at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“If you have that shade extra bounce for a swing bowler then playing Arshdeep is a no-brainer. Harshit is a good talent but if Shami is fit, then Arshdeep, for variation, experience and game awareness partners him,” the former NCA coach said. 

Harshit Rana has been the flavour of the season as far as India’s emerging crop of fast bowlers is concerned but one of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s finds is unlikely to start in India’s playing eleven in the Champions Trophy with Arshdeep Singh still considered way ahead in terms of talent and quality. The Indian team management gave Harshit all three ODIs against England, and if one is absolutely fair to the burly 6-feet-2-inch tall Delhi speedster, he has not looked out of place.

While Arshdeep enjoys a better economy rate of 5.17 compared to Harshit’s 6.95 per over, it is the former’s ability to bring the ball back into the right-handers during the Powerplay overs that will tilt the scales in his favour in the tournament starting February 19.

Arshdeep, who also has only nine ODIs since he made his debut in a short ODI series in New Zealand in 2022, will be ahead on most counts when one looks at the parameters that would be taken into account based on the conditions available at the Dubai International Stadium.

“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-armer.

“I would be a trifle surprised if Harshit starts ahead of Arshdeep,” former national selector Devang Gandhi, who has also seen Rana from close quarters as Delhi Ranji coach, told PTI.

India will start with a clash against Bangladesh on February 20 here.

It is understood that Harshit started in all three games against England because the team management, currently helmed by Gautam Gambhir, wanted to check out if his protege could be considered as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement, and also this was the only series where Shami’s fitness could also have been tested in real terms.

Hence, Arshdeep was rested in the first two games and only got a chance when the think-tank decided to rest Shami, who had played back to back ODIs.

Former India opener WV Raman, one of the most respected coaches in the country, feels experience will be a key factor which should go in favour of the Punjab pacer.

“Arshdeep, due to his relative experience and the left arm being a different dimension, has an advantage. The Dubai track will be decent for the pacers,” Raman observed.

He also raised a key point about playing multi-nation event compared to bilateral series.

“A bit more experience always helps in ICC events, which is a different ball game from bilaterals. In ICC event, you will play different opposition every day and accordingly an experienced bowler changes his plans,” said Raman, who has also been India U-19 batting coach and head coach of the national women’s team.

Gandhi, on his part, also pointed out the options Arshdeep brings to the table in various phases of the match.

“Harshit hits deck and gets it to move a bit both ways after pitching along with those effective occasional heavy balls in the range of mid 140s. But when you have Arshdeep, he can swing the new ball and also use angles of the crease effectively when he comes round the wicket during death overs,” he explained.

An NCA Level 2 coach, who had watched the India U-19 team play in Dubai during the Asia Cup, had observed that there is at least five to six inches more bounce on offer at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“If you have that shade extra bounce for a swing bowler then playing Arshdeep is a no-brainer. Harshit is a good talent but if Shami is fit, then Arshdeep, for variation, experience and game awareness partners him,” the former NCA coach said.

While Team India appear to have hit their stride at the right time just ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 – having battered England 3-0 at home in an ODI series – they will still face the problem of having to replace Jasprit Bumrah during the main tournament. Bumrah, unquestionably India’s pace spearhead, has not been able to recover from a back issue in time for the tournament. Former England coach David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd stated that left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, set to replace Bumrah in India’s playing XI, will have to significantly adjust from T20I cricket to ODI cricket.

“It’s a great opportunity for someone to come in, someone who wouldn’t make the team. But you can’t get away from the fact that he (Bumrah) is the best bowler in the world, and if he isn’t playing for you, you’ve got a problem” said Lloyd, speaking on TalkSport Cricket.

Arshdeep Singh is India’s highest-ever T20I wicket-taker, but has only played nine ODIs till date. Lloyd mentioned that shifting from T20Is to ODIs would be a big change.

“Massive difference – four overs to 10. If you’re the opposition, test him out; really get into him,” Lloyd said.

“‘This is not T20 mate, this is not a little party, you’ve got to come back and come back again’, that will be something he won’t be used to,” Lloyd said.

Arshdeep is one of three pacers selected by Team India for the Champions Trophy 2025, alongside the experienced Mohammed Shami and the recently-debuted Harshit Rana. India went with as many as five spinners in their squad, keeping in mind the conditions in Dubai and the short duration of the tournament.

Arshdeep has fared fairly well in his nine ODIs so far for India, having picked up 14 wickets at an average of 23.

However, Arshdeep played just a solitary game in the three-match ODI series against England, with Shami playing two and Rana playing all three.

The absence of Bumrah – who was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year for 2024 – will surely be felt by India. The 31-year-old has won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ at the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ‘Player of the Series’ at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and appeared in the best form of his career heading into the Champions Trophy.

India are likely to go with two frontline seamers in their playing XI at the Champions Trophy, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya being the third seam option.

India’s final squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, beginning from February 19, sprung a few surprises as marquee pacer Jasprit Bumrah was snubbed for the tournament due to his back injury, as Harshit Rana replaced him in the team. Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was part of the team in the earlier roster, was dropped as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wanted to make space for Yashasvi Jaiswal’s inclusion. The said changes, reportedly, were brough in on the recommendation of head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In total, India are now taking five spinners to Dubai for the Champions Trophy while the number of pacers in the team is only three. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra raised quite a few valid questions as he shared his opinion on the selection of players for the ICC event.

“I thought Bumrah’s absence will force selectors to pick Siraj. Have 4 pacers in the squad. It’s also interesting to note how quickly the plan to play Yashasvi in the XI ahead of Iyer is abandoned…to the extent that Yashasvi isn’t even a part of the CT squad,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

I thought Bumrah’s absence will force selectors to pick Siraj. Have 4 pacers in the squad.

It’s also interesting to note how quickly the plan to play Yashasvi in the XI ahead of Iyer is abandoned…to the extent that Yashasvi isn’t even a part of the CT squad.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 12, 2025

Chopra doesn’t feel India needed five spinners for the Champions Trophy, especially keeping in mind that the team will be playing its matches in Dubai, a venue that hasn’t aides spinners statistically in recent times.

“India has picked 5 spinners for Champions Trophy. FIVE. Sharjah would be an ideal venue for this squad. Spin To Win. Dubai?? Not so sure. That surface hasn’t helped spinners as much…ever. Also, I really hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun. Play both if you must…but Kuldeep has to be India’s premier spinner,” another post from Chopra read.

India has picked 5 spinners for Champions Trophy. FIVE.

Sharjah would be an ideal venue for this squad. Spin To Win.

Dubai?? Not so sure. That surface hasn’t helped spinners as much…ever.

Also, I really hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun. Play both if you must…but…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 12, 2025

Even in the batting unit, India’s squad looks a little thin with the removal of Jaiswal. Rishabh Pant, as per the playing XI for the 2nd ODI against England, remains the only ‘cover’ in the batting unit.

Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, BCCI confirmed late on Tuesday night. After a long wait over his fitness status, post suffering a back injury, India’s pace spearhead has been finally confirmed to miss the tournament. The 23-year-old pacer Harshit Rana was named as Bumrah’s replacement in the final 15-man squad. In another selection twist, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was also left out of the final squad, with 33-year-old mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy being named in his place.

“Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement. Team India have also named Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad. The spinner will replace Yashasvi Jaiswal who was initially named in the provisional squad,” the BCCI said in a release.

Having suffered a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah had been advised five weeks of rest as confirmed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar. However, the 31-year-old seamer has not been able to recover in time.

Pacer Harshit Rana was handed his ODI debut during the series against England, where he has picked up four wickets in two games.

Yashasvi Jaiswal out, Varun Chakaravarthy in

The other big change to India’s roster comes in the form of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal being dropped from the final squad, with mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy taking his spot.

Both Jaiswal and Chakaravarthy had been handed their ODI debuts during the series against England.

Chakaravarthy forced his way into contention after imperious form during the T20I series against England, where he picked up 14 wickets in five games, being named the ‘Player of the Series’.

Jaiswal was India’s top run-scorer across all formats in 2024, but has only played one ODI to date, with most of his runs coming in Test cricket.

Non-travelling substitutes

Team India have named three non-travelling substitutes, in case of injury, in the form of Jaiswal, pacer Mohammed Siraj and all-rounder Shivam Dube.

“Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement. Team India have also named Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad. The spinner will replace Yashasvi Jaiswal who was initially named in the provisional squad,” the BCCI said in a release.

India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy, 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non Travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.

File photo of Jos Bottler.© AFP

Harshit Rana picked up three wickets in the India vs England 4th T20I© AFP