Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin did not mince words in response to the recent criticism of the Indian selectors for choosing Harshit Rana in all formats of the game. He termed this a questionable move and even expressed his desire to be present during the selection meeting to know the exact reasons behind the nomination.
Pacer Harshit Rana managed to break into the Indian team in all three formats, although his appearances in the playing eleven were very limited. Even when he had opportunities to play, his performance with the ball was poor.
Harshit has also been selected in both the ODI and T20I squads that tour Australia later this month, and many have suggested that it is his old association with head coach Gautam Gambhir from his time at KKR that has made him an all-format player.
Your daily cricket intake!
Ravichandran Ashwin’s brutal verdict on Harshit Rana’s selection in all formats
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was surprised by the Indian pacer’s sudden evolution as a three-format cricketer for the Men in Blue. He also downplays Harshit Rana’s batting ability which is in sync with his batting form which has not been very impressive so far.
“I don’t know why they selected him. I would like to be in the selection meeting to know the reason for his inclusion. From my side, the reason is that Australia needs a fast bowler who can bat. They are selecting him as a potential number eight because someone trusts that he can bat. But I don’t know about his batting ability.”
“In the IPL final two years ago, he bowled a nice tempo delivery that went off the edge (Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dismissal). He has been playing for a while for that one delivery,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin favors Harshit Rana for his ability with the ball
Despite initially criticizing his choice, Ashwin had no doubts about the KKR pacer’s ability and was not completely against his position.
“But he definitely has the ability to handle the ball. If someone says he doesn’t have the skill, I won’t accept it. He definitely has it. Such choices happen sometimes because you observe something close from a player and trust him,” Ashwin contradicted his own statement.
“Today, everyone praises Ravindra Jadeja as a great player. But there was a time when some people asked why Ravindra Jadeja was picked. I got 540 wickets, but some people asked why I was picked,” he added.
‘You’ll understand only when you face the music on set’ Ashwin challenges KKR pacer
Ashwin, who has contradicted himself many times and confused ICT fans, has given an honest verdict claiming that his selection in the team at the moment is highly questionable, concluding on the fact that Harshit Rana has definitely acquired some X-factor and only time will tell whether his choice was right or wrong.
“A lot of people judge based on their assumptions. But you only know when you face the music on set. Similarly, Harshit Rana may appear in some form even from a distance. But it is when you face a heavy ball from him that you know he has something.”
“Whether he deserves to be selected or not is a secondary question, but he has the X-factor, let’s not forget that. But if you ask me whether he deserves to be selected now, I highly doubt it,” Ashwin said.
Also read: Virat Kohli begins IPL retirement; Equipped with RCB