India cricket team’s pace unit looks like the only weak link in what is otherwise a strong squad for ICC Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma and co. will enter the contest without the services of their best bowler Jasprit Bumrah. In the absence of the veteran duo of Bumrah & Siraj, the pace department comprises of Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. While the attack looks good on paper, there are doubts over their ability to deliver at the big stage.
Mohammed Shami – 5/10
Shami hasn’t looked that impressive since making his return to international cricket. The veteran pacer, regarded as one of India’s best white-ball bowlers, wasn’t bowling in full tilt in the recently concluded IND vs ENG ODI series. Out of the two ODIs that he featured in, he only managed to take two wickets while conceding 104 runs. To make matters worse, he did not complete his quota of 10 overs even on one occasion. The missing wicket-taking ability along with bowling at his usual high speed could impact the Indian pace attack adversely in Champions Trophy.
Arshdeep Singh – 8/10
Arshdeep was named in the squad as captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gambhir trusted him to deliver with the new ball. He was preferred over Siraj for the same reason. But what was baffling was that he played only in the IND vs ENG 3rd ODI after warming the bench for the first two games. The southpaw impressed with figures of 2/33 in the only match he featured in. However, his lack of experience playing ODIs can come back to haunt India. Arshdeep has only played 9 ODIs to date.
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Harshit Rana – 5/10
Harshit was fast-tracked to the ODIs as well following his debut in IND vs ENG T20Is. Rana then made a last-minute entry into the Champions Trophy squad, replacing an injured Bumrah. He has played only 3 ODIs to date, in which he has picked up 6 wickets. The downside is that he was expensive in the IND vs ENG ODI series. Thus, the question that arises is will he be able to partner Shami or Arshdeep effectively in the powerplay and death overs. The Delhi pacer has a tall task at hands to deliver on the expectations. Especially since he has been picked ahead of an experienced Siraj.
Hardik Pandya – 8/10
Hardik is arguably the best of the fast bowlers in the Champions Trophy squad. Not only has he consistently managed to bowl long spells but he has also turned out to be a wicket-taking bowler. In fact, the all-rounder is now India’s best pacers heading into the marquee event. His ability to bowl at high speeds coupled with his wicket taking skills makes him the best option for Rohit to turn to in the pace department.
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