Following India’s 3-0 ODI series victory over England at home, former cricketer and commentator Gautam Gambhir expressed optimism about India’s bowling prospects for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to a lower back injury, Gambhir highlighted the opportunity this presents for emerging pacers Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.
Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh – Rising to the Occasion
Speaking to reporters after India’s series win, Gambhir acknowledged Bumrah’s absence as a significant setback but emphasized the potential for young bowlers to step up.
“Harshit has shown some good signs, Arsh(deep) was also good today. Obviously, you’ll always miss a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah, his quality and experience. But it’s always good to have Mohammed Shami back with his quality,” Gambhir stated.
Harshit Rana, who made his ODI debut against England, initially joined the squad as a reserve bowler but impressed the team management with his performances. Over three games, he claimed six wickets at an average of 24.33, earning himself a spot as Bumrah’s replacement for the Champions Trophy.
Arshdeep Singh, a regular in India’s T20I setup, played in the third ODI and made an immediate impact by dismissing Phil Salt and Ben Duckett. His control with the new ball further bolstered India’s confidence in their bowling unit.
Gambhir believes these two pacers can play a crucial supporting role alongside the experienced Mohammed Shami during the Champions Trophy.
“So someone like Harshit or Arshdeep will have to put his hand up in the Champions Trophy along with Mohammed Shami. Someone missing out could be a great opportunity for someone else too. That’s the way the sport goes, and hopefully, these guys can step up and deliver,” Gambhir added.
India’s Strategy and Shreyas Iyer’s Key Role at No.4
Gambhir also shed light on India’s rotational strategy during the ODI series against England, particularly the decision to rest and rotate key players in preparation for the Champions Trophy. He emphasized Shreyas Iyer’s crucial role in India’s middle order.
“On Shreyas Iyer, he wasn’t supposed to be benched throughout the series. We wanted to give Yashasvi (Jaiswal) a go in the first game and see what he can bring to the table, because he was in really good form in Australia,” Gambhir explained.
Iyer, initially not slated to play the opening match, was called up after Virat Kohli sustained an injury. He seized the opportunity, featuring in all three games and amassing 181 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 123.12.
Gambhir hinted that Iyer would retain his No.4 spot for the Champions Trophy, reaffirming his importance to the squad.
“We always knew that Shreyas will be an important player for us at No.4. Be it the World Cup or any major tournament, he is always crucial for us. So when you’ve got three games, you want to rotate your players a bit,” he added.
Maximizing Opportunities Ahead of Champions Trophy
India’s rotational approach extended to its bowling attack. Gambhir elaborated on the decision to rest key players like Mohammed Shami in the final ODI against England, allowing Arshdeep Singh to gain valuable match practice.
“Today, we could’ve played Shami, but we wanted to give Arsh(deep) a go. When you’ve got the Champions Trophy around the corner, you want to maximize these opportunities and give everyone a chance. But Shreyas was always in the scheme of things,” Gambhir noted.
With the Champions Trophy looming, India’s team management is focused on building a balanced squad, providing game time to emerging talents while ensuring experienced players remain fresh and match-ready.
India’s Champions Trophy Campaign and Squad
India’s campaign in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 begins against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. With a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising young talents, the team aims to make a strong statement on the global stage.
India Squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
- Batsmen: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer
- Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja
- Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
- Pacers: Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh
With Rohit Sharma leading the squad and Virat Kohli back in the lineup, India boasts a formidable batting unit. The pace attack will now see a combination of experience and youthful exuberance, with Shami, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh tasked with leading the charge.
Looking Ahead
With Bumrah’s absence leaving a gap in the bowling lineup, the Champions Trophy presents an invaluable opportunity for Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh to showcase their potential on a global platform. Their performances could be pivotal in shaping India’s title bid.
Gambhir’s remarks reinforce the sentiment that adversity in team selection often leads to new opportunities for rising stars. If Rana and Arshdeep capitalize on this moment, they could establish themselves as key figures in India’s white-ball setup moving forward.
As India gears up for its opening match against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on the young pacers and Shreyas Iyer, who are expected to play crucial roles in the team’s quest for the Champions Trophy title. With a well-balanced squad and a strong game plan, India will aim to make a significant impact in Dubai.
