Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has stated that Delhi pacer Harshit Rana is being trolled online unnecessarily. This came after Rana was chosen in India’s ODI and T20I squads for India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.

This decision has not gone down well with many pundits and Indian team fans as well. However, Aakash Chopra has defended Harshit Rana on his YouTube channel, and urged fans to focus their criticism elsewhere, claiming Rana should not be blamed for being chosen repeatedly.

“People are trolling the kid a lot. His name coming up is not his fault. Whoever plays for India is selected by the selectors. The captain and coach also have an input, although neither has voting rights. After that, if a guy’s name comes up in the team every time, it’s not his mistake. You are pointing your guns in the wrong direction,” Chopra remarked on the YouTube channel.

The former India opener emphasized that Rana's selection represents the team management's belief in his abilities, not any misconduct on his part.

“I feel he has potential. He can bat, and wherever he has bowled, it seems like he has got the potential. I will admit that his debut was delayed so much that KKR could retain him as an uncapped Indian. Other than that, whoever is playing for India, let’s stop trolling. He has potential and promise. He has performed decently wherever he has played,” Chopra said.

Harshit Rana made his India debut a year ago and has played two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is, besides being part of India’s Champions Trophy and Asia Cup-winning squads.