With the Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, almost the entire playing XI and combinations of India fall into place. Leading 2-0 in the ODI series against England, the first signs indicate that India will be the team to beat for the Champions Trophy. The only point that may prove to be an Achilles heel for India, it seems, is the fast-bowling attack. With the BCCI unclear on Bumrah’s fitness, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has started to express worry over Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana.
Having returned to the national side after over a year’s absence owing to an injury, Shami failed to find his rhythm in both T20s and ODIs against England. Shami was not convincing, going at over five runs in each of his two limited-overs outings without taking many wickets.
Chopra is concerned over the fall in pace of Shami.
“Mohammed Shami is niggling his way back into some semblance of form. His pace is down,” Chopra noted, on his YouTube channel.
“The thing with pace varies from bowler to bowler. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an excellent bowler, bowling at 132 kmph. But if Mohammed Shami bowls at 132, he is not the same bowler.”
“At that pace, he no longer possesses the penetrating quality he was known for. His best is at 137, 138 km,” Chopra added.
Shami has been backed up by 24-year-old pacer Harshit Rana, who has had his first two ODIs and has taken four wickets. But Harshit has also been quite expensive.
“Harshit Rana is an expensive option; his inexperience is evident,” Chopra commented.
The Cuttack pitch required a bowler to maintain appropriate length and shorten the stumps. He failed to do so, delivering short and wide. He was taken off after three overs. On the upside, he does bowl well with an older ball. He did well in with a hit-the-deck approach,” Chopra said.
Aakash Chopra then delivered a damning verdict on India’s bowling attack, particularly if Bumrah fails to recover.
“If Bumrah does not recover in time, then India probably have the weakest fast-bowling lineup among all teams in their Champions Trophy 2025 group,” Chopra said.
India will fight Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group phase, playing their games in Dubai.
