Speedster Harshit Rana has made a comeback in the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The 23-year-old bowler last donned the Indian jersey in the shortest international format earlier this
year in January against England. After the T20I series, he was also included in the Indian pace attack for the Champions Trophy 2025, where he played two matches and took four wickets. Harshit’s inclusion for Asia Cup 2025, a multi-nation T20I tournament, has ignited criticism from many former players, experts, and fans due to his dismal outings in T20 cricket in recent times.
The former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, expressed his reservations about Harshit Rana’s selection in a video on his YouTube channel. While remembering Rana’s first T20I appearance, Aakash remarked, “Harshit Rana’s case is very interesting. His case needs to be discussed because he came as a concussion replacement for Shivam Dube once, picked up three wickets, and became the player of the match, which was brilliant, but what about before and after that?”
He further highlighted Harshit’s performance in the IPL 2025 and argued that Rana’s inclusion appears perplexing when compared to the performances of other pacers like Prasidh Krishna, who clinched the purple cap in the IPL 2025 with 25 wickets. “The last IPL was extremely ordinary. His performances have not been very good,” Aakash Chopra said about Harshit Rana.
Harshit Rana took 15 wickets in 13 matches for KKR in IPL 2025
Harshit Rana had an underwhelming campaign at the IPL 2025 while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The pacer claimed 15 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 29.86 and a high economy rate of 10.18 runs per over. Adding to Akash Chopra’s critique, former Indian opener and 1983 World Cup winner Krishanmachari Srikkanth appeared scathing in his assessment.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth reportedly accused the selectors of favoritism, hinting at head coach Gautam Gambhir’s influence, given Rana’s association with Gambhir’s former IPL team, KKR. “Where did Harshit Rana come from? He was so poor in the IPL. He is being managed. He had an economy rate of 10 in the IPL. What message are you giving to Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj?” Srikkanth said fumingly highlighting at disparities.
Mohammed Siraj performed remarkably in the Anderson-Tendulkar Series 2025, and before that, in the IPL 2025 too. These performances by the Indian speedster reportedly made his case strong for inclusion in the side for Asia Cup 2025. Despite the backlash, India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly defended Rana’s selection by remembering his first outing for Indian in T20I against England. “We know he has got that skill to deliver for India in this format,” said Yadav during the squad announcement press conference in Mumbai on August 19.
