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. Former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath 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 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.
Harshit Rana’s career in T20- A Glimpse
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.
Stating the facts and figures Former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has slammed Ajit Agarkar and Co. for preferring Harshit Rana over Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj calling it a favoritism ploy.
Subramaniam Badrinath slammed Harshit Rana’s inclusion in Asia Cup 2025 ahead of Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj
Cricketer turned commentator Subramaniam Badrinath expressed his disappointment after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee named Harshit Rana in the India squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. According to the former Indian player, Rana’s selection ahead of Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj is a clear case of favoritism.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowler had an ordinary outing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He scalped 15 wickets at an average of almost 30 and an economy of over 10. He has played only one T20I so far, against England earlier this year. His figures were 4-0-33-3. Prasidh Krishna, on the other hand, grabbed the Purple Cap in the IPL 2025. He collected 25 wickets at an average of under 20 and an economy of 8.27.
Speaking on his Youtube channel regarding Harshit Rana’s selection over Prasidh, Subramaniam said :
“There is no justifiable answer to this. This is purely due to the likeability factor. Everyone knows who likes Harshit Rana, because of which he keeps getting picked in the team. He is coming off a poor IPL season, whereas Prasidh Krishna has done brilliantly in the IPL and the England series.”
Badrinath also spoke about the exclusion of Mohammed Siraj from the India squad of the Asia Cup 2025. Siraj had a great time during the recently passed five-match Test series against England, where he picked up 23 wickets. He continued :
“I can’t understand how he (Rana) came into this team. This is definitely a poor selection. Mohammed Siraj has such great numbers and is someone who gives his heart out. Even if we can give the benefit of the doubt for his non-selection as workload management, the next in the pecking order should have been Prasidh Krishna. Why was Prasidh Krishna not picked and how did Harshit Rana get into the team?”
It was back in 2022 when Harshit Rana started playing in the IPL. The 23-year-old pacer made headlines when he took 19 wickets during the IPL 2024 while playing for KKR. He ended the season as the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the cash-rich league.
On the back of his great outing, he was added to the Indian team in 2024. The young pacer has played for India across all three formats of the game. In a total of two Test matches, Harshit Rana has accumulated four wickets. In the 50-over format, the right-arm pacer has taken part in five games, picking up 10 wickets.
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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