Harshit Rana Left Out of Champions Trophy Squad – Ponting Prefers Arshdeep Singh
The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but one selection decision has caught everyone's attention—Harshit Rana has been left out of India's playing XI for the tournament opener. Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting weighed in on this decision, stating that Arshdeep Singh is the better choice to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah.
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Ponting, speaking on The ICC Review , made it clear that while Rana has talent, Arshdeep's ability to bowl in all phases of the game, especially at the death, gives him the edge. He compared Arshdeep’s skill set to Bumrah’s, emphasizing how India will need a bowler who can deliver in the crucial moments. According to Ponting, Arshdeep has already proven himself in T20 cricket, and his left-arm pace brings much-needed variation to India's attack.
Rana has shown promise in the limited opportunities he has received, but Ponting believes that his death-over skills are not as refined as Arshdeep's. The former Australian captain stressed the importance of having a left-arm pacer in the squad, particularly in major tournaments where right-handed batters dominate. The ability to swing the new ball and maintain accuracy in the final overs is what makes Arshdeep the preferred choice.
The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, faces a tough challenge in filling Bumrah’s void. While Arshdeep’s selection seems to be backed by logic and performance, it remains to be seen how he delivers on the big stage. Ponting also pointed out that India’s batting lineup looks solid, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma finding form in the recent ODI series against England. He highlighted the return of Shreyas Iyer as a positive sign, adding that experienced players stepping up in big tournaments is crucial for India's success.
As India prepares for their first match against Bangladesh, fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if this decision pays off. Will Arshdeep live up to expectations, or will India miss the raw pace and energy of Harshit Rana? Only time will tell.
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