'Playing for that one delivery bowled two years ago in IPL’ - Indian spin legend bemused over Harshit Rana's inclusion for Australia ODIs

Former Indian cricketer R Ashwin did not mince his words while sharing his opinion on the selection of pacer Harshit Rana for India’s ODI series against Australia. The young fast bowler has managed to earn a place in the Indian squad across all three formats despite having limited appearances in the playing XI.

Ashwin admitted that he was unclear about the rationale behind Rana’s selection. The chairman of the BCCI selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, did not elaborate on the thought process behind the decision.

Ashwin suggested that Rana might have been chosen because of his ability to contribute with the bat as well.

"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 that 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.

The right-arm spinner did not entirely agree with Rana’s selection but made it clear that he does not doubt the pacer’s talent. Sharing his honest opinion, Ashwin said that the decision to include Rana in the squad was quite questionable.

"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 at close quarters and gain belief in him. Today, everyone hails Ravindra Jadeja as a great player. But there was a time when some asked why Ravindra Jadeja was getting picked. I've picked up 540 wickets, yet there were people who asked why I was getting picked," Ashwin said.

"Many people make judgmental calls based on their assumptions. But only when we face the music on the ground, we'll 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, you'll 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," he concluded.