ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has nominated Arshdeep Singh as the pacer who should get the first opportunity to replace injured quick Jasprit Bumrah and partner Mohammed Shami with the new ball for India at the ICC Champions Trophy.
India suffered a major setback to their title chances when they lost Bumrah to a back injury earlier this month. With little time left to finalize their preferred line-up ahead of their tournament opener against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20, the team management faces a crucial decision.
Inexperienced seamer Harshit Rana impressed during India’s recent ODI series at home against England, but Ponting believes Arshdeep has the right credentials to step into Bumrah’s shoes. The veteran cricketer emphasized Arshdeep’s T20I experience as a key factor.
“I would go with the left-armer, and I’d go with Arshdeep (to replace Bumrah),” Ponting told host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“We know how good he’s been in T20 cricket, and if you think about the skill set, he probably provides a similar skill set to what Bumrah does with the new ball and at the death. That’s exactly what India will miss with Bumrah’s absence.”
Ponting further elaborated, saying, “That’s taking nothing away from Harshit Rana, who has shown plenty of promise. However, his death-over skills don’t quite match Arshdeep’s effectiveness. The left-arm variation, combined with his ability to swing the new ball, makes Arshdeep an ideal candidate to fill Bumrah’s void.”
The former Australian captain noted that while India’s pace attack might feel incomplete without Bumrah, other bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya can step up. He suggested that Pandya’s ability to bowl crucial overs could help reduce the burden on Shami.
Ponting also highlighted the potential impact of Varun Chakravarthy, traditionally seen as a T20 specialist, who could play a pivotal role with his mystery spin.
“Yes, it’s incredibly hard to replace someone like Bumrah,” Ponting admitted. “But if any team has the depth and talent to do it, it’s India. With the likes of Arshdeep stepping up, they can still be a formidable force.”
As India gears up for the tournament, the team draws confidence from their recent series victory against England. The strong performances from senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with the resurgence of Shreyas Iyer, bode well for India’s prospects.
“Winning becomes a habit,” Ponting concluded. “With their current momentum and a capable replacement for Bumrah, India remains one of the strongest contenders for the Champions Trophy.”