"Harshit Rana doesn't fit the bill yet" - Former India opener baffled by Arshdeep Singh's exclusion from AUS vs IND 2025 1st T20I

Former India opener Aakash Chopra expressed surprise at the decision to pick Harshit Rana ahead of Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI for the first T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Chopra opined that Harshit is yet to prove himself as a reliable No. 8 batter and hence the move to drop Arshdeep in favor of the youngster makes little sense.

The first T20I of the five-match series between India and Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 29 ended in no result due to rain. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in the game. Only 9.4 overs were possible in India's innings when the game had to be called off.

The visitors went into the game with two frontline pacers in Harshit and Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Shivam Dube as the third pace bowling option. During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Chopra questioned the move to leave out India's highest T20I wicket-taker in favor of a rookie. He opined:

"It's quite baffling that India's highest T20I wicket-taker can't find a place in the playing XI even in Australia. Of course, it didn't happen in UAE for the Asia Cup. What are the chances of him playing in the World Cup? That's the first thought that crosses the mind. The biggest takeaway is the philosophy with which this team has been playing for a while - that you need somebody who can bat at No. 8.

"In this case, Harshit Rana was picked ahead of Arshdeep Singh, not because of his bowling ability, but just because of his batting. You could possibly understand if there is a better, more capable batter playing at No. 8. But, the sample size that we have of Harshit Rana's batting ability is not big enough to actually suggest that he is a batter who can deliver regularly at No. 8. Harshit Rana doesn't fit the bill yet," the 48-year-old added.

Earlier, Harshit played all three matches in the one-day series against Australia as well. He claimed six wickets at an average of 20.83 and an economy rate of 6.05. On the other hand, Arshdeep claimed three wickets in two matches at an average of 24 and an economy rate of 5.40.

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What is Harshit Rana's record in T20Is?

Having made his T20I debut against England in Pune in January this year, Harshit has so far featured in four matches and has claimed five wickets at an average of 22.40 and an economy rate of 10.18. His best of 3-33 came on debut.

The 23-year-old has played 42 matches in his T20 career, claiming 48 wickets at an average of 25.45 and an economy rate of 9.47. In 34 IPL games for KKR, he has 40 scalps, averaging 25.72 at an economy rate of 9.51.