Arshdeep Singh over Harshit Rana to replace Jasprit Bumrah: Ricky Ponting

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that India seamer Arshdeep Singh is the best choice to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI for the upcoming Champions Trophy. While India named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement in the squad, Ponting feels Arshdeep is better suited to lead the attack in Bumrah’s absence.

Bumrah’s injury left a significant gap in India's bowling unit, raising concerns about who will step up to anchor the attack in a tournament where India will be aiming to end their long wait for an ODI silverware. Despite initially being named in India’s 15-man squad, Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury sustained during the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India handed Harshit Rana his ODI debut in the recent series against England, but he struggled with the new ball. Although he improved in his second spells, Ponting, speaking on The ICC Review, expressed concerns over Harshit’s lack of control in the early overs and backed Arshdeep as a better fit for the role.