Harshit Rana was chosen in Indian ODI and T20I squads for Australia tour.
Ex-India spinner R Ashwin is seemingly irked by the continuous selection of pacer Harshit Rana in the Indian team. This comes after the Delhi pacer was named in India’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Australia tour.
Despite being one of the few all-format players in the current squad, his recent performances have not entirely justified his inclusion. The pacer has struggled with consistency, especially in red-ball games in Australia and England, where hitters frequently challenge him.
Many have also referred to his Kolkata Knight Riders relationship with Gautam Gambhir, India's current head coach, who guided him during KKR's 2024 title-winning campaign, implying that his previous association may have played a part in his selection.
And now R Ashwin has questioned Harshit Rana’s selection in the Indian squads and stated that he is in the squads thanks to one delivery bowled two years ago. Ashwin was implying in his delivery to dismiss Nitish Kumar Reddy in the IPL 2024 final between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"Why they are selecting him, I am not sure. I would love to be in the selection meeting to know the reason behind his inclusion. From my side, the reason I see is—in Australia, we need that fast bowler who can bat. Someone trusts that he can bat, which is why they are selecting him as a potential No. 8. But I am not sure about his batting ability. Two years back, he bowled a brilliant pacy delivery in the IPL final that flew off the edge (Nitish Kumar Reddy's dismissal). He has played for a while now for that one delivery," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin did not dismiss Rana's ability, saying that the team management may have seen something unique up close, which is why they are so supportive of him.
"But he definitely has the ability with the ball. I will not accept it if someone says he doesn't have the skill. He definitely does. Such selections happen sometimes because you observe something from a player through close quarters and gain belief in him. Today, everyone hails Ravindra Jadeja as a great player. But a time was there when some asked why Ravindra Jadeja was getting picked. I've picked up 540 wickets, yet some people asked why I was getting picked," he added.
Harshit Rana has played two Tests, taking four wickets; he has 10 wickets in five ODIs and five wickets in 2 T20Is.
Ashwin urged caution against evaluating Rana from far away, stating that while the pacer has good talent and a possible X-factor, it is debatable whether Rana deserves selection.
"Many people make judgmental calls based on their assumptions. But only when we face the music on the ground will we come to know. Likewise, Harshit Rana might come across in some way from a distance. But only when you face a heavy ball from him will you understand that he has something. Whether he deserves selection or not is a secondary issue, but he's got some X-factor; let's not forget that. Yet, if you ask me if he deserves selection now, it's very questionable," said Ashwin.
India will play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is against Australia, with the ODI series starting on October 19.