 "IND vs ENG ODI 2025: How India can replace Bumrah and who should start between Rahul, Pant? Bangar explains")
With no clarity on Japrit Bumrah's back spasm issue and timeline of recovery , the Indian cricket team must prepare for a backup and draw out plans that would allow them to tackle the star pacer’s absence as much as possible in the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy 2025.
Bumrah, who is considered one of the best fast bowlers of this generation, is seen as an irreplicable bowler, and the Indian cricket team’s headaches are only set to rise as Mohammed Siraj is also not a part of the squad for the ODI series .
Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami are part of the India squad and while Shami is very experienced, he has only recently returned to international cricket after a long injury layoff that lasted over one year. It will be interesting to see how he is holding up and whether he is ready to bowl 10 overs. Harshit Rana is still to make his ODI debut while Arshdeep has played only eight matches in the 50-over format.
Bangar feels Varun Chakravarthy is set for ODI debut
In such a scenario, former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar feels that the Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue could give an ODI debut to Varun Chakravarthy who was recently added to the squad . Chakravarthy had a brilliant T20I series against England, taking 14 wickets in five matches.
Bangar also analysed that India must apply pressure in the middle overs to avoid relying too much on the final 10 overs.
“In the absence of Bumrah, the bowling will have to depend on other aspects, maybe a Kuldeep Yadav doing a lot of damage in the middle overs," Bangar said on Star Sports. “Or for that matter, I also see that Varun Chakravarthy has been included.
“So, in case Bumrah is unavailable, then they may want to push the teams back through the middle overs so that in the last 10 overs, they may not have to face situations wherein the team would generally be dependent on Bumrah sort of a situation. Jasprit Bumrah’s absence cannot be filled by any bowler at the moment.”
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Bangar also had a clear reply when asked to pick who should be India’s wicket-keeper, KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant?
“If you cast your mind back to the way KL Rahul has performed not only as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper. Some of the catches and the way he kept in the (2023) World Cup was simply fabulous. Rishabh Pant, no doubt, is a very, very exciting talent. But currently, I believe that the team would start with KL in the lineup based on the performances that he’s given in the middle overs as well as his exploits as a wicketkeeper," Bangar said.
The three-match ODI series against England is India’s final dress rehearsal ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 and the management will look to sort out their playing XI combination in the coming three matches.
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