‘Playing for that one delivery bowled two years ago in IPL’ – Indian spin legend perplexed by Harshit Rana’s choice for Australia ODIs

R Ashwin, a former Indian cricketer, did not mince words when discussing the pick of pacer Harshit Rana for India’s ODI series against Australia. Despite making only a few outings in the playing XI, the young fast bowler has earned a spot in the Indian team for all three formats.

Ashwin acknowledged that he could not understand the reasoning behind Harshit Rana pick.

Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the BCCI selection committee, did not comment on the reasoning behind the decision. Ashwin speculated that Rana was chosen due 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.