As excitement builds for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Aakash Chopra has expressed his disappointment with Team India’s treatment of young Delhi pedagogue Harshit Rana. The former India opener has raised a serious question as to why Rana warmed the bench despite being included in the Indian team multiple times.
Harshit Rana was picked in India’s squad for Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka earlier this year, but was not given any opportunities in those tours. The young bowler was also part of India’s Test squad for the recent New Zealand Test series at home as a traveling reserve.
Aakash Chopra questions India’s strategy to replace Harshit Rana despite repeated calls
Still, the young pacer has been picked for the upcoming high-profile Test series against Australia. However, Rana is yet to see action on the field with the Indian cricket team in any format.
This lack of game time for the promising player raises concerns about India’s strategic approach and player development, with the former India-leaning player questioning why he chose whether he was only there to warm the bench.
Expressing his disappointment, Aakash Chopra questioned the baffling strategy of repeatedly including Harshit in various Indian squads without giving him any playing time. Things got more confusing as Rana was not even sent for India A matches, he could have at least honed his skills in the competitive game.
Here is a very interesting fact about Harshit Rana: Aakash Chopra
Instead, he was temporarily released to play one Ranji Trophy game before being recalled to sit with the team once again. Repeated calls without game time suggest a mixed approach that could waste an important phase of Rana’s young career, warning that such an approach could hinder his development.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “A very interesting story about Harshit Rana. It needs to be talked about because it is part of teams; he’s been to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, he’s been with the team in India and he’s been around the Test team, but they don’t play his matches. If you don’t play in his matches, he could be sent with India A.
Chopra added that being part of a large team and returning to Delhi for local installations creates a confusing picture and a wider challenge in managing it. He believes that Rana would have benefited significantly from being tested in India A matches or given a steady run in domestic cricket, roaming among squads with no field experience.
Aakash Chopra sympathizes with Harshit Rana as he will once again sit on the hot benches in Australia
According to a cricket commentator, match exposure is crucial for a bowler at this stage of his career and withdrawing him from the real game could affect Rana’s growth and reduce his confidence.
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Chopra further noted, “They didn’t send him there either. He went on to play one Ranji Trophy match and was then recalled to be with the team. Why have him on the team if you don’t play him? Prasidh Krishna takes wickets there (for India A and Australia A).
He is part of the Test team. Harshit is also part of the team but he has never played for Australia. So how would you feel about playing him ahead of Prasidh Krishna? There are four fast bowlers – (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj, Akash Deep and then Prasidh Krishna.”
