Contrary to the predictions about the playing XI in the second match of Group A in the Champions Trophy on February 20, India opted for Harshit Rana as the second specialist pacer instead of Arshdeep Singh against Bangladesh.
The move paid off, as Rana’s three-wicket spell (3 for 31) proved to be the perfect foil for Mohammed Shami who led the attack with a five-wicket haul (5 for 53), laying the foundation of India’s six-wicket win that saw Shubman Gill leading the run-chase with an unbeaten century (101*).
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However, for the big match against Pakistan next on Sunday, there is still conjecture whether India should add variation to the pace attack with left-armer Arshdeep or go ahead with the winning combination without any tinkering.
On top of that, Pakistan will have to get accustomed to a different track, as they played New Zealand in the tournament opener at home in Karachi before flying out to Dubai for the game against India.
The defending champions will undoubtedly be under pressure after their 60-run defeat in the first match against the Kiwis, which puts them in a virtually must-win situation against the archrivals.
However, former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla believes captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir may not want to disturb a winning combination going into the Pakistan game.
“I had said before the first match that Arshdeep should be there (in the playing XI) because being a left-arm seamer he brings in those (different) angles and can swing the ball. Plus he is such a bowler who can bowl with the new ball as well as can get you wickets in the slog overs,” said Chawla while talking on Star Sports.
“But after the kind of spell Harshit bowled against Bangladesh, I don’t think you will see any changes here (in India’s playing XI against Pakistan). Same team will play because you would want to continue with the winning combination and not make any changes.”
India are currently second in Group A, behind New Zealand on net run-rate (NRR). Both Bangladesh and Pakistan are without any points, but the former is ahead of the hosts at No. 3 with better NRR.
Top two teams from each group in the eight-team competition will qualify for the semifinals.
