India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has come under scrutiny after Harshit Rana was chosen over Arshdeep Singh in India’s Group A match against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The game, held in Dubai on Thursday, saw a surprising selection choice following Jasprit Bumrah’s injury, which ruled him out of the tournament. Harshit Rana was named as his replacement, a decision that sparked debate among fans and experts alike.
Why Arshdeep Singh Was Expected to Play?
Arshdeep Singh, who made his ODI debut in 2022, was widely expected to feature in the playing XI. His left-arm seam and ability to bowl tightly in the death overs made him a strong contender to partner Mohammed Shami. Experts believed his presence could have strengthened India’s bowling attack, particularly in crucial overs.
However, the decision to include Harshit Rana, who made his ODI debut earlier this month against England, came as a surprise to many. Unlike in T20 matches, controlling the middle overs is crucial in ODIs. The Indian team management seemed to have placed their faith in Harshit Rana’s ability to take wickets during this phase of the game.
Fan Backlash Over Harshit Rana’s Selection
The selection of Harshit Rana led to outrage among fans, with accusations of favoritism directed at head coach Gautam Gambhir. Many pointed out that both Gambhir and Rana shared the dressing room at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This connection fueled speculation that personal preferences played a role in the team selection.
Bangladesh Opts to Bat First After Winning the Toss
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first. India made two changes from their last ODI against England, bringing in Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja while dropping Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy. Meanwhile, Bangladesh opted for three seamers and two spinners, selecting Tanzim Hasan Sakib over the highly discussed Nahid Rana in their pace attack.
Also Read: Mohammed Shami’s Inspirational Comeback in IND vs BAN Champions Trophy 2025
India vs Bangladesh Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.