Fast bowler Harshit Rana became India’s latest debutant in ODIs. Rana was the second debutant for India alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal during the first ODI between India and England at Nagpur.
Rana making his ODI debut despite Arshdeep Singh in the squad raised a few eyebrows as the latter is also in India’s Champions Trophy squad. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that Rana’s debut is linked to Jasprit Bumrah’s possible absence from the Champions Trophy.
It is to be noted that Rana was included in the squad in place of Bumrah, who is running against time to be fit for the Champions Trophy. If Bumrah isn’t able to be fit in time, Harshit Rana is the likeliest option to replace him.
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Jasprit Bumrah out of Champions Trophy 2025?
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke on Indian team management’s decision to play Harshit Rana instead of Arshdeep Singh in the first ODI. Chopra feels that it sends a clear indication of Jasprit Bumrah being unavailable for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
“Harshit Rana’s debut tells me there are minimal chances of Jasprit Bumrah being available for the Champions Trophy. You are thinking that if Bumrah is not there in the Champions Trophy and you have to take Harshit, because he is ahead of (Mohammed) Siraj at the moment, taking him without his debut will make your heart beat fast,” Chopra noted.
“When will you get Arshdeep (Singh) to make a comeback in ODI cricket, that is still a question looming large because he too hasn’t played an ODI for a long time. However, Harshit’s debut gives me an indication that Bumrah might not be there,” he added.
Arshdeep Singh is currently ahead in line of Harshit Rana in the pecking order for ODIs. He is also in India’s Champions Trophy squad but didn’t get to play in Nagpur. Arshdeep has played 8 ODIs so far and picked up 12 wickets at an average of 24.08.
He already has a five-wicket haul to his name in ODIs. His last ODI was during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in August 2024, where the team lost 0-2. The left-arm has a good amount of experience in T20I cricket but hasn’t played many ODIs.
Harshit Rana’s impressive ODI debut
Harshit Rana had a tough start to his ODI career as he conceded 37 runs in his first three overs. However, the fast bowler came back strongly with two big wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in the next spell.
Rana picked up another wicket of Liam Livingstone later in the innings to dent England further. He finished with impressive figures of 3-53 in 7 overs and his spell turned the game in India’s way.
“I personally didn’t like it” – Aakash Chopra on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s debut
Aakash Chopra also didn’t like India’s top order for this game. He believes that Rishabh Pant could have played in the match instead of Yashasvi Jaiswal as there is no place in the top order.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal’s debut tells you that they are not looking towards or thinking about Rishabh Pant at all. Yashasvi Jaiswal opening after making his debut, and Shubman Gill going to No. 3, I personally didn’t like it because there is no place in the top three,” Chopra said.
Jaiswal made his ODI debut as Virat Kohli got injured a night before the match. The left-hander opened the batting alongside Rohit Sharma while Shubman Gill played down at No. 3.
India opted to play KL Rahul as the wicketkeeper ahead of Rishabh Pant despite the latter providing the team with a left-hand option. Rahul has been India’s preferred keeper over the last few ODI games and the team management decided to stick with him.
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