Harshit Rana has been flavour of the season as regards India's new generation of fast bowlers but one of head coach Gautam Gambhir's discoveries is not likely to play in India's playing eleven in the Champions Trophy with Arshdeep Singh still being regarded way ahead in terms of quality and talent. The Indian team management entrusted Harshit with all three ODIs against England, and if one is strictly fair to the hulking 6-feet-2-inch tall Delhi pacer, he has not been out of place.

Though Arshdeep has a superior economy rate of 5.17 against Harshit's 6.95 per over, it is the former's skill to get the ball back into the right-handers in the Powerplay overs that will make the difference in his favour in the tournament from February 19.

Arshdeep Singh likely to start in the opening match of Champions Trophy.

- Harshit Rana unlikely to play. (PTI). pic.twitter.com/w6iOvcv5XT

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 17, 2025

Arshdeep, who has played only nine ODIs after making his debut in a series of short ODIs in New Zealand in 2022, will be better in all but one aspect if one considers the parameters that would be used based on the conditions present at the Dubai International Stadium.

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Harshit Importance Stated by PTI :

While talking to PTI, Devang stated, 'Harshit has developed leaps and bounds in losing weight and also got sharper as far as speed is concerned. But if I had to pick one out of the two as Mohammed Shami's partner, it has to be Arshdeep because he can swing both ways and is a left-armer.''I would be a bit surprised if Harshit begins ahead of Arshdeep.'The PTI report further added that team management's move to include Harshit in all the three games to try the KKR bowler's credentials and see if he can replace the shoes of the ace Indian pacer who has been India's flagbearer in all the formats.