Former India opener Aakash Chopra has come out in defence of young fast bowler Harshit Rana, urging fans to stop criticising the pacer for his consistent inclusion in India squads. Rana, who was part of India’s victorious Asia Cup team, is set to fly to Australia for the upcoming white-ball tour, featuring three ODIs and as many T20Is.
Chopra’s defence comes after former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth questioned Rana’s repeated selections, calling him the “only permanent member” of the national team.
Addressing the criticism on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra explained, “People are trolling this kid. It’s not his fault that he keeps getting picked. Anyone who plays for India is selected by the board; the captain and coach give inputs but do not have voting rights. If someone keeps getting selected, it’s not the player’s fault. Fans are pointing their guns in the wrong direction.”
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Rana made his international debut during India’s Test tour of Australia last year. To date, he has played two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is, claiming 19 wickets across formats. Chopra emphasised the young pacer’s potential, saying, “He can bat, and whenever he bowls, it seems he has real promise.”
Aakash Chopra also suggested that Rana’s India debut may have been delayed strategically so Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could retain him as an uncapped IPL player.
“His debut was delayed so KKR could retain him as an uncapped player. That’s still fresh in my memory. He was part of many squads but only debuted after KKR retained him,” he added.
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Highlighting Rana’s impact on the field, Chopra pointed out, “He has shown promise—he delivered a player-of-the-match performance as a concussion substitute and bowled well against Australia in Perth. Fans should give him time and not troll someone who plays for India.”
Chopra’s comments reinforce the view that Rana is a talent worth nurturing, with patience and support from fans and selectors alike.
