As India gears up for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, one of the biggest debates surrounding the team selection revolves around the fast bowling combination. Among India’s emerging fast bowlers, Harshit Rana has been a standout performer, earning a spot in the ODI series against England. However, despite being a promising talent, Rana is unlikely to make it into India’s playing XI for the tournament, with Arshdeep Singh being favored due to his superior variations and overall skillset.
Harshit’s ODI Stint Against England
The Indian team management provided Harshit Rana with an opportunity to play in all three ODIs against England. The 6-foot-2-inch Delhi pacer did not look out of place and showed glimpses of his potential. His pace, accuracy, and ability to hit the deck made him an exciting prospect. However, when evaluating the overall performance, certain aspects tilted the scales in favor of Arshdeep Singh.
While Harshit was effective, Arshdeep’s economy rate of 5.17 per over compared to Harshit’s 6.95 makes a significant difference. Economy rate is a crucial metric in ODIs, where containing runs in the powerplay and death overs plays a vital role in a team’s success. Arshdeep’s ability to swing the ball back into right-handed batters, especially in the powerplay, makes him a more potent threat.
Arshdeep’s Edge Over Harshit
Arshdeep Singh has played only nine ODIs since making his debut in 2022 against New Zealand, but he has consistently impressed in the limited opportunities he has received. His ability to move the ball both ways, combined with his experience in handling pressure situations, makes him a more reliable choice.
Several key factors work in favor of Arshdeep:
Swing Bowling Expertise: Unlike Harshit, Arshdeep can effectively swing the new ball in both directions. This is an invaluable asset, especially on pitches like Dubai International Stadium, where swing and bounce can play a crucial role.
Better Control and Economy: His ability to maintain a tighter line and length results in fewer scoring opportunities for batters, as seen in his superior economy rate.
Variations in Death Overs: Arshdeep is not just a powerplay specialist; he has also proven his effectiveness in the death overs, utilizing angles from over and around the wicket to outfox batters.
Former national selector Devang Gandhi, who has closely observed both bowlers, stated, “Harshit has improved significantly in terms of fitness and pace. However, if I had to choose one among the two as Mohammed Shami’s partner, it has to be Arshdeep because he brings swing, variations, and the left-arm angle to the table.”
Selection Strategy for the Champions Trophy
India’s first match in the Champions Trophy will be against Bangladesh on February 20. The team management, under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, has been meticulously evaluating its options to field the most effective bowling attack.
It is understood that Harshit was given all three ODIs against England primarily to assess whether he could be considered as a backup for Jasprit Bumrah. Additionally, it provided an opportunity to test Shami’s fitness ahead of the ICC event. As a result, Arshdeep was rested for the first two games before featuring in the final ODI.
Former India opener WV Raman, a highly respected coach, emphasized the importance of experience in ICC events. He pointed out, “Arshdeep has an advantage due to his relative experience and left-arm angle, which adds a different dimension to the attack. In ICC tournaments, teams face different opponents every match, requiring bowlers to adapt quickly. Experience plays a vital role in such situations.”
Tactical Advantage on Dubai Pitches
Conditions at the Dubai International Stadium are expected to assist fast bowlers, offering both bounce and movement. An NCA Level 2 coach, who had previously analyzed conditions in Dubai during the U-19 Asia Cup, observed that the pitch provides at least five to six inches of extra bounce.
Gandhi elaborated on the skillset each bowler brings:
Harshit Rana: Generates good movement off the deck and can bowl heavy balls in the mid-140 km/h range.
Arshdeep Singh: Can swing the new ball, exploit crease angles effectively, and maintain tight lines in death overs.
Given these attributes, the additional bounce in Dubai works in Arshdeep’s favor. If the ball swings and bounces more, the advantage tilts further towards a bowler with better control and variations.
Final Verdict: Arshdeep Likely to Partner Shami
With Shami returning to full fitness, the decision ultimately comes down to choosing between Harshit and Arshdeep as his new-ball partner. Considering the experience, variations, and skillset Arshdeep brings to the table, he remains the frontrunner for the role.
A former NCA coach summed it up aptly: “If you have that extra bounce available for a swing bowler, then playing Arshdeep is a no-brainer. Harshit is a good talent, but if Shami is fit, Arshdeep is the better choice due to his experience, variation, and game awareness.”
While Harshit Rana remains an exciting prospect for India’s future, for now, Arshdeep Singh appears to be the preferred choice for the Champions Trophy, offering a blend of control, movement, and adaptability needed for high-pressure ICC tournaments.