3 reasons why India must pick Arshdeep Singh in their Champions Trophy 2025 squad 

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh impressed with his performance in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. The left-arm pacer has also been picked in the T20I squad for the five-match home series against England beginning January 22, 2025.

However, with the Champions Trophy 2025 soon approaching, right after the white-ball series against England, Arshdeep will have his eyes set on the ICC event. The Indian team is yet to announce the squad for the Champions Trophy.

The Men in Blue are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. They will play all their matches in the tournament in Dubai. While Arshdeep Singh is now a regular member of the T20I squad, the pacer is yet to cement his spot in the ODI set-up.

The 25-year-old played a key role in India's triumph at the ICC 2024 T20 World Cup as well. He picked up 17 wickets from eight matches at an average of 12.64. Therefore, the pacer has proven his ability to deliver under pressure in an ICC event.

India will benefit from including the left-arm pacer for the marquee event and here are three reasons why:

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#3 Arshdeep Singh impressed with the ball in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy

Arshdeep Singh displayed his worth with the ball in the 50-over format, playing for Punjab in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 scalps from seven games at an average of 18.25 and economy rate of 5.62. The Punjab pacer also bagged a couple of four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul.

While Arshdeep has played only eight ODIs for India so far, picking up 12 wickets, his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy may have strengthened his chances of making it back to the ODI team and the Champions Trophy squad. India should look to leverage his recent form in the 50-over format.

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#2 Arshdeep brings variety to the attack

All of India's leading pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammad Shami, are right-arm pacers. Moreover, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy also bowl right-arm pace.

That said, including Arshdeep in the squad, who is a left-arm pacer, will add some variety to the pace attack. His ability to bring the ball back into the right-hander, take it away from the left-hander, and bowl searing bouncers could be a lethal weapon in India's pace arsenal at the Champions Trophy.

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#1 The left-arm quick could bolster the pace attack if Jasprit Bumrah misses out

Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from India's T20I squad for the upcoming home series against England. There have been concerns about his fitness right through the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series and even after the tour.

There is uncertainty regarding Bumrah's fitness and participation in the Champions Trophy due to his injury. In such a scenario, including Arshdeep Singh in the squad for the major ICC event could bolster India's pace attack. It will also give him an opportunity to establish himself in the ODI format.