The absence of players like Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna has put Ajit Agarkar and his panel under scrutiny, especially since these names had impressed with their performances in the IPL. The announcement of the Asia Cup squad has raised questions over the All India Selection Committee’s decisions. Mohammed Siraj had an excellent start to the season, but ultimately ended up with 16 wickets in 15 matches in IPL 2025.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra is among the many to question the rationale behind Harshit Rana’s selection, pointing out his unimpressive IPL 2025 performance.Notably, Harshit Rana was selected ahead of IPL 2025 Purple Cap winner Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj. The selection of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad has triggered a major controversy, especially over the inclusion of Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Harshit Rana.
The announcement of the Asia Cup squad has raised questions over the All India Selection Committee’s decisions. The absence of players like Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna has put Ajit Agarkar and his panel under scrutiny, especially since these names had impressed with their performances in the IPL.
The 23-year-old Harshit Rana made his T20 debut during IPL 2022, impressing one and all with his ability to clock high speeds. Having played 39 T20 games so far as per ESPNcricinfo, the pacer has managed just 46 wickets at a decent average of 24.84 (BBI: 3/24). His economy of 9.36 is certainly on the higher side. 40 of Rana’s T20 wickets have come in the IPL at 25.72 (ER: 9.51).
Harshit Rana rose to prominence with a stellar performance for KKR in IPL 2024, when Gautam Gambhir was the franchise’s mentor. He took 19 wickets at 20.15 for the title-winning side as his economy was 9.08. The right-arm pacer was then rewarded with a national call-up for the 2024-25 Australian Test tour. His T20I and ODI debuts came in the following couple of months.
Notably, Harshit Rana made his T20I debut earlier this year, against England in Pune. He came in as a concussion replacement for Shivam Dube and took three wickets to be named the Player of the Match. This remains his only T20I outing so far. His succeeding T20 assignment was the 2025 Indian Premier League. Harshit Rana’s IPL 2025 season was unimpressive, with the KKR pacer managing just 15 wickets from 13 matches at an economy rate of 10.18.
16 of Harshit Rana’s T20 wickets have come in the powerplay overs (1-6) at a high economy of 9.55. Coming to his numbers in the final five overs, the pacer owns 16 wickets at a higher economy of 9.84. Harshit Rana had an underwhelming IPL 2025, taking 15 wickets at an economy rate of 10.18.
He also has only one T20 experience at the international level, and the selectors preferred him over the likes of experienced Siraj and IPL 2025 purple cap winner Krishna. Former India opener Aakash Chopra has now raised questions over the inclusion of Harshit Rana.
Akash Chopra points out the scathing difference between Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana ahead of Asia Cup 2025
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that Harshit Rana has had ‘things go in his favour slightly’ while comparing him to star bowler Mohammed Siraj concerning India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. Despite playing only one T20I up until now, the Delhi cricketer was selected to be a part of the 15-member squad for the upcoming continental tournament.
Chopra was clear in his assessment when comparing the two bowlers. He concluded his argument by favouring Siraj over Harshit, with even the stats saying so. Mohammed Siraj has picked up 14 wickets in 16 matches at an economy rate of 7.79. On the other hand, Harshit registered figures of 3/33 in his four overs in the only T20I he has featured in. Even in recent IPL 2025, the Gujarat Titans’ pacer outperformed the KKR seamer by some distance.
Harshit Rana had an underwhelming IPL 2025, taking 25 wickets at an economy rate of 10.18. He also has only one T20 experience at the international level, and the selectors preferred him over the likes of experienced Siraj and IPL 2025 purple cap winner Krishna.
Chopra did point out Rana’s match-winning performance as a concussion replacement against England, but he raised concerns over his performances before and after that.
“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 as well, and became the Player of the Match, which was brilliant, but what about before and after that?” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
The former cricketer turned commentator didn’t shy away from saying that Rana hasn’t done enough to deserve a place in the side.
“The last IPL was extremely ordinary. His performances have not been very good. His numbers are not flattering. It doesn’t seem like his numbers are strong enough to deserve a place in the side,” he added.
Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, has expressed his views on Harshit Rana‘s recent rise, suggesting that Harshit might not be a better bowler than Mohammed Siraj, but recent developments have worked in his favour. He pointed out that if Harshit was a more accomplished bowler, he would have consistently been included in India’s playing XI across all formats.
Mohammed Siraj, despite having represented India in 101 matches across all formats, has not been selected for the 2025 Asia Cup squad, which will be held in the UAE starting 9th September. Harshit is one of the three pace specialists, joining Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in the lineup.
Speaking further on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra’, the former opener was asked whether Mohammed Siraj’s future would now be limited to Test cricket and if Harshit is a better bowler, given his selection in all three formats.
“No, Siraj will definitely play ODIs. I believe he will continue in ODI cricket. He needs to wait a bit for T20Is. Harshit Rana can’t really be considered a superior bowler. If he was, he would have featured in the playing XI across all three formats. The guy is still on the sidelines,” Chopra replied.
“I wouldn’t claim that Harshit is a better bowler than Siraj. Right now, it just seems that things work in his favour just a little from time to time, but Siraj is the better bowler. If you compare them directly, it’s clear that Siraj is superior,” he continued.
Although Mohammed Siraj hasn’t played an international white-ball match in more than a year, Harshit Rana, with just eight international games under his belt, played in the Champions Trophy. He has been included in the Asia Cup ahead of Mohammed Siraj.
Mohammed Siraj’s last white-ball games for India came on the Sri Lanka tour across July and August 2024. However, he has been an active ingredient in Test cricket for the Indian team, coached by Gautam Gambhir. The Hyderabad-born has been impressive in most of the 14 Tests played from September 2024 to August 2025. Mohammed Siraj recently emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, with 23 wickets.
As for Harshit he has represented the national setup in two Tests, five ODIs and one T20I so far. The 23-year-old has shown glimpses of promise too, however, he is yet to prove his worth. It will be interesting to observe whether he will be given the nod to be a part of the XI in the continental event.
India will kick off their campaign against the UAE on September 10, while the high-voltage game against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, with both fixtures set to be played in Dubai. India will play their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
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