Former great questions Harshit Rana’s continued selection in Indian team

Harshit Rana’s inclusion in India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming Australia series has sparked debate, with accusations of favoritism once again surfacing in Indian cricket circles. Despite being one of the few players currently involved across formats, Rana’s recent performances have not fully justified his continued selection. The pacer has struggled with consistency, particularly in red-ball matches in Australia and England, where batters often dominated him.

Many have also pointed to Rana’s past association with Gautam Gambhir — now India’s head coach — under whom he played during Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 title-winning campaign. Critics suggest that this connection may have influenced his selection.

Veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin voiced his concerns over Rana’s inclusion for the Australia tour, implying that the pacer’s elevation to the national team began after his memorable delivery that dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy in the IPL 2024 final.

“I’m not sure why they are selecting him. I’d love to sit in on the selection meeting to understand the reasoning. Perhaps they see him as a fast bowler who can also bat — a potential No. 8 option — but I’m uncertain about his batting ability. Two years ago, he bowled a brilliant delivery in the IPL final that got Nitish Kumar Reddy out. Since then, it feels like he’s been playing for that one delivery,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

However, Ashwin acknowledged Rana’s potential and suggested that the team management might have observed qualities in him up close that justify their faith.

Also Read: Former India great slams BCCI, calls Harshit Rana a 'yes-man' to Gautam Gambhir

“He certainly has ability with the ball, and I wouldn’t agree if someone said he lacks skill. Sometimes, such selections are based on what coaches see firsthand and believe in. There was a time when people questioned why Ravindra Jadeja or even I was being picked. Today, those same players are celebrated,” he added.

So far, Rana has played two Tests, taking four wickets at an average of 50.75. In five ODIs, he has claimed ten wickets at a strong average of 20.70, while in three T20Is, he has taken five wickets but has been expensive with an economy rate of 10.18.

Ashwin urged fans and critics alike to avoid hasty judgments, emphasizing that Rana’s raw pace and X-factor make him a bowler worth watching — even if his current selection remains open to question.

“Many people form opinions from afar. But only when you face him on the ground do you realize his heavy ball and the spark he has. Whether he deserves selection right now is debatable, but let’s not ignore his X-factor,” Ashwin concluded.