Gautam Gambhir’s Potential Backup Plan for Bumrah Faces Criticism: Aakash Chopra Weighs In

As the deadline for finalizing the Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy approaches, the team management is in a delicate situation due to the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness. Bumrah, who is reportedly undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is being assessed by the medical team to determine his availability for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19. Should Bumrah fail to recover in time, the BCCI will need to find an alternative, and Gautam Gambhir has identified Harshit Rana as a potential backup option.

HARSHIT RANA CHOSEN AS BUMRAH’S POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT

The young pacer from Delhi, who made his international debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) last year, was picked over Arshdeep Singh for the first two ODIs against England. This decision further fueled speculations that Rana could be considered as Bumrah’s replacement in the squad.

However, not everyone is convinced by this potential solution. Aakash Chopra, former India cricketer and current commentator, has expressed reservations about the viability of Rana as Bumrah’s backup.

CHOPRA QUESTIONS RANA’S READINESS FOR BUMRAH’S ROLE

Chopra, in a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, emphasized that if Bumrah fails to make it to the Champions Trophy, the team will need to make significant adjustments. He feels that the management must be open to change rather than simply sticking to Rana as Bumrah’s replacement.

"If Bumrah isn't available, India will need to pivot and change their entire strategy. They can't be rigid and assume that Harshit Rana alone will be enough to fill Bumrah's shoes. Would we truly be ready in such a scenario?" Chopra questioned.

While Harshit Rana has shown promise by taking four wickets in the first two ODIs against England, Chopra remains unconvinced about his readiness for such a high-stakes role. He described the situation as feeling “like wearing a coat that doesn’t fit when you need to attend a wedding,” implying that Rana may not be fully prepared to replace a player of Bumrah’s caliber.

THE ISSUE WITH THE "LIKE-FOR-LIKE" REPLACEMENT

Chopra also pointed out a significant flaw in the team management’s thinking. Rana was previously used as a "like-for-like" replacement for Shivam Dube during the T20I series against England when Dube was sidelined due to concussion. However, Chopra insists that this approach should not be applied to Bumrah.

"Rana was picked as a like-for-like replacement for Dube, but Bumrah and Rana are two entirely different players. If the team management thinks of Harshit as a replacement for Bumrah in the same way, it’s not going to work," Chopra observed. He stressed that while Rana may fill a spot in the team, he is not a direct substitute for a player of Bumrah’s stature and skill.

THE NEED FOR A STRATEGIC SHIFT

Chopra concluded by stating that the team management must be flexible and consider a broader range of options if Bumrah is unavailable for the Champions Trophy. Rather than relying solely on Harshit Rana, India would need to adapt and explore other potential strategies to cope with Bumrah’s absence.

"It’s essential for the management to think beyond just filling a spot. If Bumrah is unavailable, India will need to recalibrate their plans," he concluded.