The debate over Harshit Rana’s inclusion refuses to die down. The 23-year-old Delhi pacer, once seen as a promising IPL product, has now become one of Indian cricket’s all-format players. Despite a patchy record in international cricket, Rana continues to find a place in both India’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Australia tour. This has triggered critcism from various former cricketers, with Kris Srikkanth labelling Harshit as a yes-man of Gautam Gambhir.
Harshit Rana, still not finished product
After being a backup pacer at the Asia Cup, Rana’s name once again appeared across both formats for the tour of Australia, leaving many puzzled. After all, his performances in recent months have been far from convincing. Across two Tests, Rana has taken just four wickets at an average of 50.75, while his five ODIs have yielded 10 wickets at 20.70. In three T20Is, he’s managed five wickets but leaked runs at an economy of over 10 runs per over.
His selection has reignited talk of favouritism, given his previous stint under Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL franchise that clinched the 2024 title under Gambhir’s mentorship. With Gambhir now India’s head coach, critics have suggested that old loyalties might have played a role in the pacer’s continued presence in national squads.
Ashwin’s blunt take: “Since that one delivery…”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t mince words while dissecting Rana’s selection. The Tamil Nadu spinner questioned the reasoning behind it and implied that Rana’s India career took off after a single standout moment in the IPL.
“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.
However, Ashwin did offer a fair assessment, acknowledging that Rana possesses raw ability. “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.
Rana’s story so far has been one of rapid elevation. He made his international debut in all three formats within just four months — between November 2024 and February 2025 — and even earned a Champions Trophy berth earlier this year. Yet, his recent numbers tell a different story. In the Asia Cup 2025, Rana managed only two wickets in two matches, conceding 79 runs, including a forgettable spell of 54 runs for one wicket against Sri Lanka that drew flak from Kris Srikkanth.
