IND vs SL: India has been in the buzz over their participation in the Champions Trophy, which is to be held in Pakistan. With several iconic players from the rival nation urging the BCCI and the Indian players to take part in the Champions Trophy in Karachi, there has not been any confirmation about the same from the BCCI.
New India head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will be looking for a new appointment in the pace bowling department, especially when India’s leading World Cup wicket-taker, Mohammad Shami, has been injured since he participated in the World Cup 2023, where he broke records with sizzling efforts.
Shami’s participation is sceptical, while Gambhir has picked some fresh faces for the Sri Lanka tour, which will be the only series played under subcontinent conditions. Gambhir has picked four pacers: Mohd. Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and youngster Harshit Rana.
Top 3 pace bowlers likely to be picked for the Champions Trophy
Mohd.Siraj
The Indian pacer was a part of India’s World Cup squads in both the ODI World Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2024. Though Siraj was a big disappointment in the ODI World Cup in India, he was not included much in the XI in the USA T20 World Cup.
Siraj was one of India’s finest pacers until last year, and despite his major drop in form, Gambhir would still look to test him and have his experience used in white-ball cricket at the Champions Trophy.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh was India’s highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup, where India emerged champions. Singh will also be the highlight under Gambhir for the ODI series, as he targets the next level.
The lanky left-arm pacer is ideal for swinging the ball on both sides and is versatile with his bouncers as well as occasional yorkers, which leaves the Batters baffled. He can likely be placed as the top choice paired alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
Harshit Rana
The KKR fame pacer had a splendid season with Knight Riders in IPL 2024; he was their highest wicket-taker among pacers, and in the very first international tour of Gambhir, he was picked by the Indian team.
Rana has the pace that Gambhir often likes in limited-overs cricket, and if Shami India’s best 50-over bowler misses the Champions Trophy, the pacer is ideal to be his replacement if he can continue his prowess at the international level. Rana is a promising youngster and can be looked at as a future prospect for the Men in Blue alongside Arshdeep Singh.
