Ricky Ponting Backs Arshdeep Singh Over Harshit Rana as Jasprit Bumrah’s Replacement in Champions Trophy
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has weighed in on India’s selection dilemma ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, advocating for Arshdeep Singh as the ideal replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah in India’s opening match against Bangladesh. Despite Harshit Rana’s impressive performances leading up to the tournament, Ponting believes Arshdeep’s experience and skill set make him a better fit for the high-pressure environment of a 50-over match.
Ponting’s Reasoning: Why Arshdeep Over Harshit?
Ponting, speaking on The ICC Review, highlighted Arshdeep Singh’s versatility in all phases of an ODI match, particularly his effectiveness with the new ball and in the death overs—two crucial areas where Bumrah has been India’s go-to bowler.
“We know how good he’s been in T20 cricket, and if you think about the skill set, he probably provides a similar skill set to what Bumrah does with the new ball and in death overs. That’s what India will miss,” Ponting explained.
While acknowledging Harshit Rana’s talent, Ponting expressed doubts over his ability to handle death-over pressure, a role where Bumrah has excelled for India.
That’s taking nothing away from Harshit Rana because I think he has got a lot of talent, and we know what he can do with the new ball, but I don’t think his death skills are as good as what Arshdeep is Ponting added.
The Left-Arm Advantage in Big Tournaments
Ponting also pointed out the tactical advantage of having a left-arm pacer like Arshdeep Singh in the squad. Left-arm seamers provide an extra dimension to the bowling attack, especially in major tournaments where opposition line-ups are often dominated by right-handed batters.
“Just that left-arm variation, someone that can bowl left-arm with a new ball and move the new ball—we know how important and crucial they can be, especially in big tournaments when you’ve got a lot of right-handers at the top,” Ponting emphasized.
Arshdeep Singh has already proven his talent in T20 internationals, where he has consistently delivered under pressure, particularly in death overs. His ability to swing the new ball and execute yorker in crunch situations makes him a compelling choice.
India’s Strengths Despite Bumrah’s Absence
Despite the unfortunate injury of Bumrah, Ponting remains optimistic about India’s overall squad strength. He noted the return to form of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, which bodes well for India’s chances in the tournament.
“More importantly for India, (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) were back scoring runs, and that’s what they need going into big tournaments. Rohit, Virat—your experienced players—you need them to stand up in the big tournaments in the big moments,” Ponting said.
He also praised Shreyas Iyer’s resurgence in India’s middle order, which adds stability and depth to the batting lineup.
“It’s great to see Shreyas Iyer back in the team and playing well in the middle order. He was great,” Ponting added.
With these key players firing at the right time, India looks well-prepared for the tournament, barring the setback of Bumrah’s injury.
India’s Possible Bowling Combination
If India follows Ponting’s advice and includes Arshdeep Singh, the team will have a well-rounded bowling attack. Here’s how the Indian pace unit could shape up for the Champions Trophy:
1. Mohammed Shami – The experienced pacer will lead the attack.
2. Mohammed Siraj – A potent option with the new ball.
3. Arshdeep Singh – A left-arm option with new-ball swing and death-over skills.
4. Hardik Pandya – The all-rounder provides a seam-bowling option in the middle overs.
5. Kuldeep Yadav / Ravindra Jadeja – The spin options to complement the pacers.
Arshdeep’s Recent Performance: Does He Deserve the Spot?
Arshdeep Singh has been one of India’s most promising fast bowlers in white-ball cricket. His performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup warm-up games and bilateral T20I series have showcased his ability to handle high-pressure situations.
In IPL 2023, Arshdeep was among the top wicket-takers for Punjab Kings, demonstrating accuracy in death overs and an ability to extract swing with the new ball. These attributes make him a strong candidate for Bumrah’s replacement.
Harshit Rana: A Rising Star But Lacking Experience?
On the other hand, Harshit Rana has been making waves in domestic cricket and the IPL, impressing with his raw pace and aggression. However, his relative inexperience at the international level and limited exposure to death-over situations might work against him in a high-stakes tournament like the Champions Trophy.
Ponting’s assessment suggests that while Rana has potential, he might not be ready for the kind of pressure Bumrah’s role demands in ODI cricket.
- Final Thoughts: Will India Listen to Ponting?
Ponting’s preference for Arshdeep Singh over Harshit Rana is based on strategic and experience-based reasoning. With India’s bowling resources already under scrutiny following Bumrah’s injury, selecting the right replacement will be crucial for their Champions Trophy campaign.
Will the Indian selectors take Ponting’s advice and go with Arshdeep? Or will they back the raw pace of Harshit Rana? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—India needs a bowler who can step up in Bumrah’s absence.
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