Arshdeep Singh: 3 Reasons Why He Must Be Included In Champions Trophy

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As the ICC Champions Trophy approaches and is set to start on February 19 in Pakistan, predictions on the participating teams’ squads have been rife in the cricketing world. While India prepares to take on Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, there is one youngster who is slowly but surely inching his way toward selection Arshdeep Singh.

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Arshdeep has been turning heads with his performances in domestic and international cricket, and many experts feel that he may play a very important role for India in its quest for the Champions Trophy title.

Three key reasons why Arshdeep Singh should be included in India’s squad for the tournament

1. Impressive Performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy

In terms of individual performances, one ardent reason why Arshdeep Singh deserves a place in the Indian team is his brilliant performance in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 25-year-old fast bowler from Punjab has been excellent throughout the competition and, at the time of writing, the highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

Arshdeep has been able to take 20 wickets in 7 matches with a phenomenal average of 18.25 and an economy rate of 5.62. He is proving himself to be a really valuable asset for Punjab with his consistent ability to pick wickets. And, in one of the matches, he had taken a five-wicket haul, which displayed how the bowler can break through and seal the match for his team. These impressive performances prove that he is in good nick going into a tournament like the Champions Trophy.

2. Variations in Bowling and Left-Arm Advantage

India’s regular fast-bowling attack consists of stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Mohammad Shami, all of whom are right-handed bowlers. But Arshdeep Singh is a left-arm fast bowler, which gives India an extra dimension to their pace attack.

In modern cricket, the availability of bowlers who can offer different angles and styles to the attack is highly important, particularly in shorter formats like the Champions Trophy. The left-arm angle that Arshdeep offers could be a fresh challenge for batsmen against him, as not many get to face such bowlers often. His ability to bowl with pace and swing and the variety of deliveries he can bowl will make him a very strategic weapon for India.

3. Leadership Potential in Case of Bumrah’s Unavailability

Another strong reason why Arshdeep Singh should be considered for the Champions Trophy team is that he can rise to the occasion and lead the fast bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, was recently ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series due to a back injury. According to reports, Bumrah may also miss the Champions Trophy, leaving a gap in India’s pace department.

If Bumrah is not available, then Arshdeep would be the best bet to lead the attack. He has already shown that he can perform under pressure in different formats, including the IPL 2024, where he has displayed his wicket-taking skills both in the powerplay and death overs. Arshdeep has shown that he can take control of the game with his variations, and bowling at the right moments makes him an asset that India could bank on in the Champions Trophy.

Arshdeep Singh’s Case for Champions Trophy Selection

Arshdeep Singh’s recent form, unique left-arm style, and possible future leadership qualities have made him a very strong candidate to be selected in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. With less than a month to go before the tournament gets underway, it can well be said that Arshdeep has definitely earned the chance to test his skills on the international platform.

If India is to have success in the Champions Trophy, having a bowler like Arshdeep in the squad could provide the necessary depth and variety to their fast-bowling attack, making him a valuable asset in their pursuit of the prestigious title.

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