Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes things have been going in Harshit Rana’s favor after the fast bowler was picked in the Asia Cup squad ahead of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Chopra said Mohammed Siraj is a better bowler than Harshit Rana.
Meanwhile, Rana has been picked as the third seamer in the squad as Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will be the two frontline pacers. Rana has picked 11 wickets in eight matches of the ongoing Delhi Premier League while leading North Delhi Strikers.
On the other hand, Mohammed Siraj recently picked 23 wickets in five Test matches against England at an average of 32.43. Siraj also bagged 16 wickets in 15 matches of IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans at an average of 32.93 and an economy rate of 9.24.
“No, Siraj will play in ODIs as well. I think he will play ODI cricket as well. He will have to wait a little in T20Is. Harshit Rana isn’t a better bowler, because if that had been the case, he would have played in the XI in all three formats. The guy sits outside,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“So I won’t say he is a better bowler than Siraj or that his records are better than Siraj’s. At this point in time, it seems like things go in his favor slightly every now and then, but Siraj is a better bowler. If one does man-to-man marking, of course, Siraj is better,” he added.
On the other hand, Chopra also shed light on Yuzvendra Chahal’s future. Chahal last played a T20I for India back in August 2023 against the West Indies.
“This is a good question. Your question hurt me. It might be hurting him as well, as to what more he needs to do, because he doesn’t get to play when he is part of the World Cup team. Something happens where his name doesn’t come in the XI, or else he is out of the team,” Chopra said on Chahal’s future.
The renowned commentator said Varun Chakravarthy is a certainty in India’s T20I team and Kuldeep Yadav is ahead of Chahal in the pecking order.
“The last IPL was hot and cold. I am not saying that he had a great IPL, but he is a quality player. However, there is no place for him now. Only one of him and Kuldeep can come in the 15. The rest of them will be bowlers who can bat, plus Varun Chakaravarthy. Varun Chakaravarthy has won this race by a mile in T20 cricket,” Chopra observed.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on 10th September.
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