ICC Champions Trophy: Harshit Rana ahead of Arshdeep Singh for a spot in the India playing XI?

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has weighed in on Harshit Rana’s inclusion in the Indian squad for the first ODI against England, suggesting that his selection ahead of Arshdeep Singh could be a sign of concerns regarding Jasprit Bumrah's potential unavailability for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Rana made his ODI debut in the opening match of the three-match series against England in Nagpur on February 6, 2024. India's decision to field two debutants—Rana and Yashasvi Jaiswal—made a significant impact in the opening ODI. While Jaiswal’s selection led to a reshuffling of the batting order, it was Rana’s inclusion in the bowling attack that raised eyebrows.

Aakash Chopra, in a video on his YouTube channel, questioned whether Rana’s debut was an indication that India was already considering alternative fast-bowling options for the Champions Trophy. This speculation arises from Bumrah’s ongoing injury concerns and his uncertain availability for the prestigious tournament. Chopra highlighted that India’s approach to selecting fresh talent like Rana, especially with the looming Champions Trophy, suggests the team management is taking a cautious stance in building depth in the pace department. With Bumrah’s fitness a concern, Rana’s inclusion could be part of a broader strategy to ensure India has a strong pace attack for the upcoming major tournaments. This move also emphasizes the importance of preparing backups well in advance.

"Harshit Rana's debut tells me there are minimal chances of Jasprit Bumrah being available for the Champions Trophy. You are thinking that if Bumrah is not there in the Champions Trophy and you have to take Harshit, because he is ahead of (Mohammed) Siraj at the moment, taking him without his debut will make your heart beat fast," stated former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra in a recent video on his YouTube Channel. 

Aakash Chopra also voiced his concerns regarding Arshdeep Singh's delayed return to the ODI setup, despite the left-arm pacer consistently performing well in white-ball cricket over the past two years. Chopra pointed out that Arshdeep had proven his worth with strong performances in T20Is and other formats, yet he was overlooked in favor of newer faces like Harshit Rana. The commentator emphasized that this delay in Arshdeep's inclusion could raise questions about the team management's approach and the criteria they use for selecting players, especially with key fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah facing fitness issues.

Chopra's comments reflect the growing sentiment that Arshdeep deserves more opportunities in ODIs, given his track record and ability to provide vital breakthroughs in pressure situations. It remains to be seen how the team will manage their fast-bowling resources ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, with depth in the pace attack becoming more critical.

"When will you get Arshdeep to make a comeback in ODI cricket, that is still a question looming large because he too hasn't played an ODI for a long time. However, Harshit's debut gives me an indication that Bumrah might not be there," Chopra added.