THIS Bowler To Replace Harshit Rana For First Match In Champions Trophy? Former Selector Devang Gandhi Drops Massive Hints

Former Indian team selector Devang Gandhi told the PTI, that he would go for Arshdeep Singh than Harshit Rana for opening along with Mohammad Shami and he would be amazed if he were picked over the Left arm pacer. Harshit Rana has been promising in all his initial matches and also managed to imbibe his name in the record books by clinching 3 wickets on his debut in all the 3 formats.

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“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.” Gandhi Said.

Harshit Rana, who hails from Delhi, has produced immensely good performances in his domestic career. But Arshdeep Singh’s ability to swing the ball both in and out makes him a perfect bowler who can hold the other end of the innings along with Mohammad Shami.

“Arshadeep, 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,” former India opener WV Raman observed.

“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.

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Probable Reasons For Replacement

Arshdeep’s economy rate of 5.17 is better than Rana’s per over and this quality of the the left warmer is very efficient in powerplays as well as death overs. Also considering the conditions of Dubai, Arshdeep holds an edge over Rana as he has played 9 ODIs since his debut against New Zealand in 2022.

Harshit has played all the 3 matches against England. He was being assessed by coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management to make him a potential replacement for Jasprit Bumrah who has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy.