NEW DELHI: Former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra has come out strongly in defence of young pacer Harshit Rana, who has faced an online backlash after being named in multiple Indian squads across formats. Rana, just 23, has been selected in both the ODI and T20I squads for India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia — a decision that has divided opinion among fans and pundits.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra urged fans to direct their criticism elsewhere, saying Rana should not be faulted for being picked repeatedly.“People are trolling the kid a lot. His name coming up is not his fault. Whoever plays for India is selected by the selectors. The captain and coach also have an input, although neither has voting rights. After that, if a guy’s name comes in the team every time, it’s not his mistake. You are pointing your guns in the wrong direction,” Chopra remarked.
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The former India opener emphasised that Rana’s selection reflects the team management’s faith in his talent, not any wrongdoing by the player. “I feel he has potential. He can bat, and wherever he has bowled, it seems like he has got the potential. I will admit that his debut was delayed so much that KKR could retain him as an uncapped Indian. Other than that, whoever is playing for India, let’s stop trolling. He has potential and promise. He has performed decently wherever he has played,” Chopra said, calling for patience and perspective from fans.Rana, who made his international debut less than a year ago, has played two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is, besides being part of India’s Asia Cup-winning squad.Chopra’s comments come after Krishnamachari Srikkanth blasted the selectors for Rana’s repeated inclusion, calling him “the only permanent member” amid India’s constant chopping and changing.While Srikkanth questioned the selection logic, Chopra’s defence of Rana struck a more empathetic tone — reminding fans that behind every selection is a young cricketer chasing his dream, not one deserving of online ridicule.
