"Not sure why they're selecting him…" Ravi Ashwin questions Harshit Rana's selection in India squads for Australia tour

Ravi Ashwin raised question on Harshit Rana’s ability, who has been named in white-ball squads for Australia tour.

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned Harshit Rana’s inclusion in India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Australia. This comes a week after India named their ODI and T20I squads for the Australia tour, where they will engage in three ODIs and five T20Is.

The pacer was also part of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, which concluded last month. However, his continuous selection in the national side has raised eyebrows among many former Indian cricketers and fans.

Some have also blamed head coach Gautam Gambhir for his favouritism towards Rana. Gambhir guided him as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, when the franchise won the title. Over the last one year, Rana has played in all three formats for India.

Why they are selecting Harshit Rana, I am not sure: Ravi Ashwin

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that he is not sure why Rana has been picked in India’s squads for the Australia tour. The 39-year-old also added that one possible reason is that India need a fast bowler who can also bat, however, he also added that he is not sure of Rana’s batting ability.

“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 – 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,” he said.

“But I am not sure about his batting ability. Two years back he bowled a brilliant pace 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,” he added.

Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024, also reckoned that Rana definitely has some ability, as the management has backed him.

“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 through close quarters and gain belief in him,” he said.

“Today everyone hails Ravindra Jadeja as a great player. But a time was there when some asked why Ravindra Jadeja was getting picked. I’ve picked up 540 wickets yet there were people that asked why I was getting picked,” Ashwin further added.

Rana made his international debut in November 2024 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. He has so far taken four wickets in two tests and 10 wickets in five ODIs. In T20Is, he has been quite expensive with an economy rate of 10.18, grabbing five scalps across three games.

Meanwhile, India’s tour of Australia 2025 will commence on October 19 with the first ODI at Perth Cricket Stadium in Perth. The campaign will witness three ODIs and five T20Is between both sides and will conclude on November 8.

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