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Jasprit Bumrah‘s injury has dealt a major blow to India’s pace attack ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The star pacer was initially named in India’s 15-man squad but was later ruled out due to a back injury sustained during the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His absence has created a crucial selection dilemma for the team, as India looks to fill the void left by their pace spearhead.
Jasprit Bumrah’s injury and its impact on India’s bowling attack
With Rohit Sharma leading the side, the management must now decide who will step up in Bumrah’s absence to provide the cutting edge required to succeed in a high-stakes tournament. India handed young pacer Harshit Rana his ODI debut in the recent series against England. While he showed glimpses of promise, his performances were inconsistent. He struggled with control while bowling with the new ball, often conceding runs at an expensive rate. Although he improved in his second spells, questions remain about his ability to deliver under pressure in crucial matches. His lack of experience in handling high-intensity situations and executing death-over plans effectively could make him a risky choice for India’s campaign.
Ricky Ponting picks between Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana
Speaking on The ICC Review, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting backed left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh as a better option to replace Bumrah in the playing XI. Ponting highlighted Arshdeep’s ability to swing the new ball, execute yorkers, and bowl effectively at the death – qualities that make him a more reliable choice in a 50-over format.
“I would go with the left-armer, and I’d go with Arshdeep (to replace Bumrah),” Ponting stated. “We know how good he’s been in T20 cricket, and if you think about his skill set, he probably provides a similar role to what Bumrah does with the new ball and in the death overs. That’s what India will miss the most,” Ponting said.
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Ponting further emphasized that while Rana has potential, he lacks the same level of control and variety as Arshdeep, particularly when bowling in the latter stages of an innings. Ponting also highlighted the value of having a left-arm pacer in the playing XI, particularly in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy.
“That’s taking nothing away from Harshit Rana because I think he has a lot of talent and we know what he can do with the new ball, but I don’t think his death-bowling skills are as good as Arshdeep Singh’s. Just having that left-arm variation, someone who can swing the new ball and bring a different angle of attack, is crucial. We know how important left-arm fast bowlers can be, especially in big tournaments when you’re up against top-quality right-hand batters. I would personally lean toward Arshdeep if I were making the decision for India,” Ponting concluded.
Team India’s final selection dilemma
India’s final call on Bumrah’s replacement will rest with head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit. Apart from Arshdeep and Rana, India also has the experienced Mohammed Shami, who was India’s standout bowler in the ODI World Cup 2023. However, Shami is still regaining full rhythm after his recent injury, making his workload management a key factor.
Additionally, Hardik Pandya is expected to contribute with the ball in the middle overs, which could influence the team’s decision on how many specialist pacers to include in the XI. The selection debate will ultimately revolve around who can deliver under pressure, especially against top teams like Bangladesh, New Zealand and Pakistan in the group stage. As India prepares for their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on whether the management opts for the experience and left-arm variety of Arshdeep or sticks with the promise and raw pace of Rana.
