The veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami recently made it to the headlines after he had to miss the first game for Bengal against Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024. Shami is enduring a tough time due to his ‘vulnerability to the injuries.’ It has also left a question mark on his comeback to international cricket to represent India’s national side.
The Bengal pacer played a decisive role in India’s journey to the final of last year’s home ODI World Cup. He ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the marquee tournament despite missing four matches against India in the tournament’s league stage.
Subsequently, he was subjected to an ankle injury which forced him to stay away from the action for India in international cricket. It also transliterates into the fact that the 34-year-old might fail to make it to India’s squad for the upcoming home ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
With that said, here we’ll have a look at the 3 Indian pacers who might replace Mohammed Shami in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Prasidh Krishna
The Bangalore-born pacer Prasidh Krishna has not been in action for India in the ODIs since his last appearance in September 2023. Rajkot ODI, against Australia, was the last ODI in which he featured ODI. The 28-year-old has played 17 ODIs for India since his debut in the format in the Pune ODI against England in March 2021.
Since then, Krishna has scalped 29 wickets in 17 innings, scalping two four-wicket hauls, with the best performance of ‘4 wickets at just 12 runs in a match.’ He could be a ‘near-perfect’ pick for India if Mohammed Shami takes further time to recover.
Harshit Rana
The young Delhi pacer Harshit Rana recently left everyone amused with his performances in a few appearances against Australia in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Besides that, he is yet to make his ODI debut for India.
Speaking of Rana’s List-A numbers, the 23-year-old has picked 22 wickets in 14 innings, scalping two four-wicket hauls. Having enthusiasm at this age, Rana can be considered as a tailor-made replacement for Shami in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024.
Arshdeep Singh
Star pacer Arshdeep Singh has been one of the vital cogs in the wheel for India in the white-ball format. Alongside playing 60 T20Is, Singh made his ODI debut for India in Auckland ODI against New Zealand in November, 2022.
The 23-year-old has scalped 12 wickets in seven ODI innings of the 8 matches he has played; he has an amazing economy rate of 5.05, including a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul.
Disclaimer: This exclusive news is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and intuition. While reviewing this information, consider the points discussed and form your own conclusions.
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