One of the most significant discussions surrounding India's preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy is the selection of a fast bowler to partner Mohammed Shami, following the exclusion of Jasprit Bumrah. Although Harshit Rana has been named as Bumrah's replacement in the squad, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has advocated for Arshdeep Singh to assume that role during the matches.

Ponting emphasized that Arshdeep's left-arm bowling style distinguishes him from other candidates. "I would opt for the left-armer, specifically Arshdeep, to fill Bumrah's position. His performance in T20 cricket has been impressive, and in terms of skill set, he offers a similar capability to Bumrah, particularly with the new ball and in the death overs, which is something India will miss," Ponting remarked on ICC.

"That said, I do not wish to undermine Harshit Rana, as he possesses considerable talent and has demonstrated his effectiveness with the new ball. However, I believe his skills in the death overs do not match those of Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm variation is crucial; having someone who can bowl left-arm with the new ball and swing it is vital, especially in major tournaments where many right-handed batsmen are present. If I were in India's position, I would personally favor this approach," he concluded.

All eyes on Shami in Bumrah's absence

The absence of Bumrah due to injury is perceived as a significant setback for India's prospects in the Champions Trophy, given that the fast bowler has been a pivotal figure in the Indian bowling lineup across various formats over the past few years. Nevertheless, former Indian pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji believes that Shami is capable of stepping into the role vacated by the 31-year-old star bowler.

"Indeed, he outperformed Bumrah during the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the recent World Cup (2023). Bumrah is undoubtedly a world-class bowler across all formats. However, Shami possesses considerable experience, and prior to Bumrah's emergence, it was Shami who led India's bowling attack consistently," Balaji remarked. The concern for India lies in the fact that Shami has not been at his peak in the limited matches he has participated in, both domestically and internationally, since returning from an injury hiatus that sidelined him for over a year.

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