Harshit was decent for India in the recently concluded 3-match ODI series against England, however he is unlikely to get a chance in the Champions Trophy as the team management reportedly prefers Arshdeep Singh over him

Seamer Harshit Rana is among the crop of young pacers who have emerged for India as of recent. Despite a decent showing in the recently concluded 3-match ODI series against England, Harshit is unlikely to start any match for the Men in Blue in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

According to a report by PTI, fellow pacer Arshdeep Singh is considered far better than Harshit in terms of talent and quality and thus, the former is expected to get a chance in most of India’s matches in the upcoming ICC tournament.

While Arshdeep enjoys a better economy rate of 5.17 compared to Harshit’s 6.95 per over, it is the former’s ability to bring the ball back into the right-handers during the Powerplay overs that tilt the scales in his favour.

“Harshit has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of reducing his weight and has become sharper in terms of speed. But if I had to choose one among the two as Mohammed Shami’s partner, it has to be Arshdeep as he can swing the ball both ways and is a left-armer. I would be a trifle surprised if Harshit starts ahead of Arshdeep,” former national selector Devang Gandhi told PTI.

Arshdeep, who only has 9 ODIs under his belt since making his debut in a short ODI series in New Zealand back in 2022, is likely to be ahead on almost all parameters that would be taken into account based on the conditions at the Dubai International Stadium.

Former India opener WV Raman, one of the most respected coaches in the country, feels experience will be a key factor while selecting the bowlers for the tournament and it will end up favouring Arshdeep.

“Arshdeep, due to his relative experience and the left arm being a different dimension, has an advantage. The Dubai track will be decent for the pacers,” Raman said.

“A bit more experience always helps in ICC events, which is a different ball game from bilaterals. In ICC event, you will play different opposition every day and accordingly an experienced bowler changes his plans,” Raman added.