Former India Nationwide Cricket Staff opening batsman Aakash Chopra has bluntly stated that the younger pacer Harshit Rana would not should be part of the Asia Cup 2025 squad.
Aakash Chopra acknowledged that Harshit Rana’s efficiency within the latest version of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was “extraordinarily odd” and that there have been higher pacers than him out there for choice.
Harshit Rana – A Gautam Gambhir favorite
The 23-year-old Delhi and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has in a short time performed for the India Nationwide Cricket Staff throughout all three codecs.
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His shares within the Indian cricket staff have risen because the head coach Gautam Gambhir got here to the helm, and the pacer has been persistently across the squads even when he would not play the matches.
Thus far, he has performed 5 ODIs, two Checks, and one T20I sport for India and has bagged 10, 4, and three wickets respectively.
He has been chosen for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and is among the many three specialist pacers within the squad alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
His choice for the Asia Cup 2025 was met with heavy criticism because the likes of Prasidh Krishna, who gained the purple cap in IPL 2025, and Mohammed Siraj, who just lately completed because the main wicket-taker within the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, have been snubbed.
Followers have been left livid after the squad announcement and expressed their anger on social media, accusing Gautam Gambhir of being biased.
It would not look like his numbers are robust sufficient to deserve a spot within the facet – Aakash Chopra
Talking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra additionally expressed his shock over Harshit Rana’s choice regardless of his poor performances. He stated:
“Harshit Rana’s case may be very fascinating. His case must be mentioned as a result of he got here as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube as soon as, picked up three wickets as nicely, and have become the Participant of the Match, which was good, however what about earlier than and after that?”
“The final IPL was extraordinarily odd. His performances haven’t been excellent. His numbers should not flattering. It would not look like his numbers are robust sufficient to deserve a spot within the facet,” he added.
Notably, Rana picked up 15 wickets in IPL 2025 at an economic system of 10.18.
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Prasidh Krishna ought to have gotten an opportunity – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra additional opined that the third specialist pacer within the India squad will principally stay on the bench with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh being the beginning XI, however added that the likes of Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj have been higher picks than Harshit Rana. He elaborated:
“The reality can also be that he will not get to play all of the matches. In reality, he would possibly get to play even one match when Bumrah is not out there. If he is not getting an opportunity to play, you say that whoever is sitting out would not make a distinction.
“Nonetheless, in case you see the latest report, you’ll discover that Prasidh Krishna ought to have gotten an opportunity, or you might have considered rewarding Mohammed Siraj, however the staff has as soon as once more gone in the direction of Harshit.”
