Harshit Rana Selection: The Indian team management’s decision to snub Arshdeep Singh over Harshit Rana in the first T20I against Australia is not understood by anyone yet. Arshdeep, being the highest wicket taker in the T20I cricket for India, was still left out from the team. He is the only Indian to have taken more than 100 wickets in just 65 matches.
However, when the playing XI was revealed for the first T20I, everyone was shocked because Arshdeep Singh was not given the chance, and India went with Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah.
Harshit Rana Selection Over Arshdeep Singh In IND vs AUS 1st T20I
To this now former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra was very shocked at Arshdeep Singh’s omission from the team’s playing XI.
He said,
“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 the 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.”
“Harshit Rana Doesn’t Fit The Bill Yet”: Aakash Chopra
Further, he said that Harshit Rana was picked over Arshdeep Singh because of his batting rather than bowling. He also stated that Harshit doesn’t fit the bill yet.
He said,
“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 were a better, more capable batter playing at No. 8. But the sample size 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.”
IND vs AUS 1st T20I Called Off
Talking about the match, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav lost the toss and was asked to bat first. Abhishek Sharma at an early stage lost his wicket, but Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav looked in great form, adding up 97 runs with the loss of one wicket. But due to heavy rain, the match was called off.
The second T20I between India and Australia will be played on 31 October, Friday, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Also Read: Ravi Shastri Warns Australia Of Abhishek Sharma In IND vs AUS T20I Series
