R Ashwin questions Harshit Rana’s repeated selection, Aakash Chopra comes to pacer’s defence: ‘He’s been playing for that one delivery

Former Indian cricketer R Ashwin has questioned Harshit Rana’s selection in India’s white-ball squads for the Australia series, claiming that one good delivery in the IPL 2024 final has carried him a long way, while former opener Aakash Chopra has defended the Delhi pacer, who has been trolled endlessly on social media.

Rana features in both India’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia. Having made his India debut in the Test against Australia in Perth, Rana has consistently been a part of the India squads, but he has not played much.

So far, he has played two Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is, taking 4, 10, and 5 wickets, respectively. The 23-year-old played two matches in the Asia Cup and was smashed for 54 runs in four overs in the Sri Lanka game, while giving away 25 runs against Oman.

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The lack of consistency from Harshit Rana has led to online trolling with fans claiming that he is benefiting from his closeness to Team India coach Gautam Gambhir, who was also the team mentor at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) when the franchise won the IPL in 2024.

Ashwin says one delivery has helped Rana play for India

Ashwin is the latest Indian cricketer to question Rana’s selection. He said that he wants to know the selectors’ thoughts for picking Rana consistently when he is yet to do something remarkable at the international stage.

Ashwin added that Rana’s one brilliant delivery from the IPL 2024 final has taken him to places.

“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.

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Ashwin, however, added that Rana definitely has the ability and his selection is based on what he promises to bring to the table.

“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 there were people that asked why I was getting picked,” he added.

Aakash Chopra asks fans to stop trolling Harshit Rana

In a separate YouTube video, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra said that if fans want to question someone for Rana’s selection, it has to be the selectors and not the fast bowler himself.

“People are trolling this kid a lot. It’s not his fault that he gets picked in all squads. Anyone who plays for India gets picked by the selectors. Captain and coach also give inputs but don’t have the voting rights. If after that someone keeps getting picked, then it’s not that person’s fault. You are pointing your guns in the wrong direction," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

“I feel he (Rana) has got the potential. He can bat, whenever and wherever he has bowled, it seems that he’s got the potential.

“I do feel that his debut was delayed so KKR could retain him as an uncapped player. That’s still fresh in my memory. He was part of so many squads but only made his debut after KKR retained him.”.

Chopra asked the fans to stop trolling Rana, who has the potential to deliver for India, but needs backing at the moment.

“Let’s stop trolling anyone who plays for India. He has the potential and promise. He has been decent so far, gave player-of-the-match performance as a concussion substitute, bowled well against Australia in Perth. I will say give him some time,” he said.