Gautam Gambhir's Harshit Rana move torn to bits; calls for action arise before Border-Gavaskar Trophy

As excitement builds for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Aakash Chopra has expressed his frustration over Team India’s treatment of young Delhi pacer Harshit Rana. The former Indian opener has raised a serious question about why Rana is warming the bench despite being repeatedly included in the Indian squad.

Harshit Rana was selected in India’s squad for Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka earlier this year, but he wasn’t handed any opportunity on those tours. The young bowler was also part of India’s Test squad for the recent New Zealand Test series at home as a traveling reserve.

Aakash Chopra questions India's strategy in benching Harshit Rana despite repeated call-ups

Yet again, the young pacer has been selected for the upcoming high-stakes Test series against Australia. However, Rana hasn’t yet seen action on the field with the Indian cricket team in any format.

For a promising bowler, this lack of game time raises concerns about India's strategic approach and player development, with the former Indian batter questioning the reason behind his selection if he’s only there to warm the bench.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma's PR accused of deliberately ending Gautam Gambhir's career by former teammate

Aakash Chopra voiced his frustration, questioning the baffling strategy of repeatedly including Harshit in various India squads without giving him any game time. Things became even more puzzling as Rana wasn’t even sent to India A matches, where he could have at least sharpened his skills in competitive play.

It's a very curious case with Harshit Rana: Aakash Chopra

Instead, he was temporarily released to play a single Ranji Trophy game before being called back to sit with the team once more. The repeated call-ups without game time suggest a scrambled approach that might be wasting a crucial phase of Rana's young career, warning such treatment could hamper his development.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel: “It's a very curious case with Harshit Rana. It needs to be spoken about because he is part of teams; he went to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, was also with the team in India, and has been around the Test team, but they are not playing his matches. If you are not playing him matches, he could have been sent with India A.”

Chopra added that being part of the senior team squad and rejoining Delhi for domestic fixtures paints a confusing picture and broader issue of his handling. He believes that Rana would have benefited significantly from being tested in India A matches or given a steady run in domestic cricket rather than shuttling between squads without on-field experience.

Aakash Chopra sympathizes with Harshit Rana as he will once again warm benches in Australia

For a bowler at his stage of career, match exposure is critical, and holding him back from actual gameplay could impact Rana's growth and dampen his confidence, according to the cricket commentator.

Read Also: "Beating Virat Kohli more satisfying than Rohit Sharma"- Young Mumbai spinner humiliates

Chopra further noted, “He wasn't sent there as well. He went to play one Ranji Trophy match, and then he was called back to be with the team. Why are you making him roam around with the team when you are not playing him? Prasidh Krishna is taking wickets there (for India A vs Australia A).

He is part of the Test team. Harshit is also part of the team but he has never played in Australia. So how will you think about playing him ahead of Prasidh Krishna? There are four fast bowlers - (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj, Akash Deep, and then there is Prasidh Krishna.”