Why Arshdeep Singh Isn’t Playing Today’s 2nd Match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Against Bangladesh?

India’s playing XI for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh has sparked discussions as Arshdeep Singh has been left out, with Harshit Rana making the cut in the pace attack alongside Mohammed Shami. The decision has raised eyebrows, considering Arshdeep’s left-arm pace variation and prior experience in international cricket.

So, why did India drop Arshdeep Singh for this crucial match? Let’s break it down.

India’s Playing XI vs Bangladesh: Harshit Rana Gets the Nod

At the toss, Bangladesh won and opted to bat first, leaving India to chase under lights. During the pre-match presentation, India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that Arshdeep Singh has been dropped, with Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami leading the pace attack.

India’s Playing XI for IND vs BAN:

* Batters: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer

* Wicketkeeper: KL Rahul (wk)

* All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja

* Bowlers: Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav

During the toss, Rohit Sharma explained:

“Only Varun misses out from the last ODI we played, Jadeja comes back, and Arshdeep misses as Shami returns.”

This statement confirmed that India opted for Shami’s experience over Arshdeep, while also banking on Harshit Rana’s promising form.

Why Arshdeep Singh Was Left Out?

1. Tactical Decision for Bangladesh’s Batting Order

Bangladesh’s top-order includes several left-handers such as Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, and Najmul Hossain Shanto, which may have influenced India’s decision to opt for right-arm pacers in Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami instead of a left-arm quick like Arshdeep.

2. Harshit Rana’s Recent Form & Impact in Middle Overs

Harshit Rana has impressed in his limited opportunities, picking up six wickets in three ODIs against England. He has been effective in the middle overs, where India has often struggled to break partnerships. His ability to hit the deck hard and extract bounce might have given him the edge over Arshdeep.

3. Experience Factor – Shami Returns as Senior Paceman

With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, India needed an experienced pacer to lead the attack. Mohammed Shami’s inclusion ensures a solid leader in the bowling unit, making Arshdeep’s selection more complicated. Instead of having two relatively less experienced pacers, India went with a combination of Shami’s experience and Harshit’s energy.

Rohit Sharma’s Toss Woes Continue – 11th Consecutive Toss Loss for India

India’s toss luck has been dreadful, with Rohit Sharma losing 11 tosses in a row, a record tied with the Netherlands (2011-2013) for most consecutive toss losses in ODIs.

Despite wanting to bowl first due to better conditions under lights, India has to chase against Bangladesh, adding another challenge to their tournament opener.

What This Means for Arshdeep’s Future in the Tournament?

Arshdeep Singh may not be completely out of India’s plans. His left-arm angle and death-over skills could be valuable in upcoming matches, depending on pitch conditions and opposition matchups. With a long tournament ahead, he might still get a chance in later games.

For now, India’s team management has backed Harshit Rana to deliver alongside Shami, and their bowling combination will be closely watched as they take on Bangladesh in Dubai.

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