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Cheteshwar Pujara would love to see Arshdeep Singh replace Harshit Rana for India’s 2025 Champions Trophy match against Pakistan but admits it would be unfair to Rana, who impressed against Bangladesh.
Arshdeep Singh. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Cheteshwar Pujara would love to see ‘X-factor’ left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh replace Harshit Rana in India’s 11 for Sunday’s clash against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy but knows it would be ‘unfair’ on the young bowling all-rounder. Pujara admitted that India will probably not make any changes after beating Bangladesh in the tournament opener, adding that he’d still want Arshdeep to get a chance soon.
Rana, who made his ODI debut only earlier this month, started ahead of T20 World Cup-winner Arshdeep against Bangladesh. He impressed on his ICC white-ball tournament debut too, taking three wickets in a spell of less than eight overs.
“Harshit has been bowling really well but for me, I think Arshdeep is the X-factor,” Pujara said in an exclusive chat with News18’s Anand Narasimhan. “If he can get an opportunity… I don’t think there will be any changes in the squad but one change I would love to see at some stage is Arshdeep getting an opportunity to play in the 11. I would want to (for Harshit to sit out for Arshdeep) but it’ll be unfair on Harshit.”
“Look if you have preferred him in the first game, you need to continue with him, he has bowled well against Bangladesh, you can’t make that change. From the cricketing point of view, you can make that change but going forward in this Champions Trophy, at some stage, I would want Arshdeep playing in the 11,” he added.
Having broken through to the Indian team only a few months ago, Arshdeep hasn’t played many ODIs either but has an excellent record so far: 14 wickets in nine matches at an average of 23.
Pujara added that considering his ability in the powerplay overs and at the death, he was surprised that the left-arm quick didn’t start against Bangladesh.
“He’s someone who’s a quality bowler and I am a little surprised that he’s not part of the squad because considering the kind of pitches that we are playing on, he brings in the swing early on and has a good slower ball, which will be very effective on Dubai’s pitches,” Pujara said.