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No Harshit; India To Unleash Surprise Pacer Vs BAN In Champions Trophy: Report

Debashis Sarangi

India will face Bangladesh in their first game [Source: AP]India will face Bangladesh in their first game [Source: AP]

According to emerging reports, India are unlikely to pick Harshit Rana in their playing XI for their first Champions Trophy encounter. Led by Rohit Sharma, India will face Bangladesh in their tournament opener at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 20. 

India Likely To Prefer Arshdeep Over Rana For CT Opener

Harshit Rana was one of India's top performers with the ball in the recently concluded ODI series against England, scalping six wickets in three outings. Although his economy was slightly on the higher side, Rana emerged as a genuine wicket-taker for the hosts, striking at crucial junctures. 

However, although Rana seems to be the frontrunner to be Mohammed Shami's fast bowling partner in the Champions Trophy, a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI) suggests that the Indian think tank is tempted to unleash Arshdeep Singh in the opening game against Bangladesh. 


How Has Arshdeep Singh Performed In ODI Cricket? 

Renowned for his ability to swing the new ball both ways, Arshdeep Singh has been a force to reckon with the ball in T20 Internationals. However, he is comparatively less experienced in ODIs, having played only nine matches in the format. 

Interestingly, Arshdeep is India's highest wicket-taker since 2023, with 14 scalps in six outings. Apart from making the new ball talk, Arshdeep can be a more effective weapon with the ball in the slog overs. Therefore, considering the left-arm seamer's all-round bowling potential, India might prefer him over the KKR star for the opening face-off.