Mohammed Shami has made his way back into the Indian team and it’s a mixed bag as the pacer has been a little inconsistent. During the T20I series against England Shami went wicketless initially, it was only in the third T20I he bounced back and took three wickets at Wankhede.
India’s Pace Attack
The Ajit Agarkar led BCCI committee has picked the frontline pacer – Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. There is also a lot of uncertainty regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s availability making Shami’s role even more important. Harshit Rana has been named as Bumrah’s backup but since he lacks experience he is unlikely to lead the pace attack.
Arshdeep Singh Inexperienced In ODIs
India will be playing three-match ODI series against England, starting from February 6 and the other two will be played on February 9 and 12. However former cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised two serious concerns, first its about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness with the new reports telling that he has gone back ko NCA for assessment of his injury. The second concern is that even though Arshdeep Singh has been excellent in T20Is how he will perform in ODI remains big question as he has just played 8 ODI matches where he has picked 12 wickets.
Also Read: BCCI Quietly Removes Jasprit Bumrah From ODI Squad Against England: Will He Play Champions Trophy?
Four Fast Bowlers Should’ve Been There
“Good question, but the answer to that question also has a little bit of a trick. It’s tricky as you will also have to drop someone. You can make a change to the squad but for that, you will have to drop someone. It’s an ICC event. It’s not a bilateral series at home. The squad will be of 15 members only,” former opener Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“If you have to make a change, it’s because of injury, and you have to make a request for that and it needs to be approved. Nothing like that has happened. Four fast bowlers should have 100 percent been there because whatever we have seen of Mohammed Shami, he did take three wickets in the last match for sure and bowled decently, but he is far from ready.”
Bumrah’s Fitness: A Big Cause Of Concern
“He might get ready as time is still left. Two weeks are there and three ODIs are also there. So hopefully, by the end of it, he will be absolutely fine, but he is not ready yet. Arshdeep Singh is perfect for the new and old ball, but who knows how he will do in the middle overs in ODIs. We have not seen that,” Chopra observed.
“I am not hearing great news about Bumrah’s fitness. However, I won’t believe in hearsay, and won’t share what I heard with you as well. However, I totally agree with you that one fast bowler should have been added to the team earlier itself. I feel a fast bowler will get added. In whose place he will be, we shall find out. I feel Siraj will go to the Champions Trophy.”
Also Read: Virat Kohli On The Verge Of Achieving Big ODI Milestone, Sachin Tendulkar’s Record Under Threat
Another big name that has been dropped is Mohammed Siraj, he has been the leading wicket-taker for India in ODIs but still not included in the squads against England and in Champions Trophy 2025.
