R Ashwin questions Harshit Rana's India selection: 'I would love to know the reasoning behind his inclusion'

NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has raised eyebrows over the selection of pacer Harshit Rana across all formats, expressing doubts about his batting ability at number eight while acknowledging the bowler's ‘X-Factor'. Rana has been named in India's ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, starting October 19.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin questioned the reasoning behind Rana's all-format inclusion, despite the pacer featuring in just 10 matches since last year, taking 19 wickets at an average of 27.47 without any four- or five-wicket hauls. While praising Rana's ability to hit the deck hard and pick crucial wickets, Ashwin noted the bowler's tendency to concede runs.


“Why are they selecting him? I am not sure. I would love to be in the selection meeting to know the reasoning behind his inclusion,” Ashwin said. “From my perspective, the reason I see it is that in Australia, we need a fast bowler who can bat. Someone trusts that he can bat, which is why they are selecting him as a potential number eight. However, I am unsure about his batting ability. Two years back, he bowled a brilliant pacy delivery in the IPL final that flew off the edge. He has played for a while now for that one delivery.”


Ashwin pointed out that Rana's breakthrough came during the 2024 IPL season with Kolkata Knight Riders, where he took 19 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 20.15 and an economy rate of 9.08, finishing as the team's second-highest wicket-taker in their title-winning campaign.

Despite his doubts, Ashwin admitted that Rana possesses something special. “Many people make judgmental calls based on their assumptions. But only when we face the music on the ground, we will 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 will understand that he has something. Whether he deserves selection or not is a secondary issue, but he has got some X-factor, let us not forget that. Yet, if you ask me if he deserves selection now, it is very questionable,” he added.

Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here