Ponting predicts Bumrah replacement for India at Champions Trophy

The former Australia great thinks Arshdeep Singh can perform well for India in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah at the Champions Trophy.

Ricky Ponting Nominates Arshdeep Singh to Replace Jasprit Bumrah for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

• Ponting’s Pick for Bumrah’s Replacement: ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has named Arshdeep Singh as the pacer who should be given the first opportunity to replace injured Jasprit Bumrah in India’s lineup for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Ponting believes Arshdeep’s experience and skills make him the best option to partner Mohammed Shami with the new ball.
• Bumrah’s Injury a Major Setback: India suffered a huge blow to their title hopes when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. With little time to adjust before their opening match against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, the Indian team must quickly finalize their lineup.
• Arshdeep’s strong T20I credentials: Ponting, while acknowledging Harshit Rana’s solid performances during India’s recent ODI series against England, highlighted Arshdeep’s proven ability in T20 cricket as a major asset. “I would go with the left-armer, and I’d go with Arshdeep to replace Bumrah,” Ponting said on The ICC Review. He pointed out that Arshdeep’s skillset, including his ability to bowl with the new ball and at the death, closely mirrors Bumrah’s strengths.
• Left-Arm Variation Key for India: According to Ponting, the left-arm variation Arshdeep provides is crucial for India, especially against right-handed top-order batters. His ability to swing the new ball and generate movement makes him a valuable asset in big tournaments like the Champions Trophy. Ponting added, “His death bowling is better than Harshit’s, and that left-arm angle with the new ball is something India can really benefit from.”
• Other Options for India: Ponting also mentioned that India has a variety of options within their squad, including Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami, who are fit and available for the tournament. Hardik Pandya, according to Ponting, will play an important role with the ball to ease the workload on Shami and compensate for Bumrah’s absence.
• Varun Chakravarthy’s Impact: Ponting also noted that Varun Chakravarthy could be a game-changer for India in the Champions Trophy. He praised Chakravarthy’s variations and skill, suggesting he could have a significant impact in the tournament despite being mainly seen as a T20 specialist.
• India’s Talent Can Overcome Bumrah’s Absence: While Ponting acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Bumrah, he is confident that India’s abundant talent pool will enable them to remain competitive. “Even without Bumrah, India remains one of the main contenders, thanks to the depth of talent they possess,” he stated.
• India’s Recent Form and Batting Strength: Ponting highlighted India’s impressive performances in the recent ODI series against England, particularly the contributions from Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He emphasized that for India to succeed in big tournaments, the experienced players like Rohit and Virat must step up in crucial moments.
• Momentum Heading into the Champions Trophy: Ponting believes that India’s recent series win against England has provided the team with valuable momentum. “Winning is a habit, and with that win behind them, India will carry confidence into the Champions Trophy,” he concluded.

With India preparing for their opening match, the selection of Bumrah’s replacement will be one of the key decisions as the team aims to secure a third Champions Trophy title.