"What's the problem?" - Aakash Chopra on Harshit Rana being retained ahead of Anshul Kamboj for ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that Harshit Rana's retention ahead of Anshul Kamboj for the Test series against England is not wrong. While acknowledging that Kamboj's first-class numbers are better, he pointed out that Rana hasn't performed too badly either in the limited games he has played.

India will lock horns with England in a five-match Test series, with the first game starting in Leeds on Friday, June 20. Rana has been added to the 18-member Indian squad for the series opener.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that Rana's selection ahead of Kamboj, despite the latter's better record, need not be questioned.

"Anshul's numbers are looking much better. Whether it's against the England Lions or in first-class cricket, you will find that he has done much better. Harshit Rana has had a short career in first-class cricket. It's not a bad performance. If you look at it against the England Lions, of course, the numbers are slightly ordinary," Chopra said (8:25).

"If you look at it against Australia, again, four wickets at an average of 51, you don't really say that it's very good, but I will tell you something, both will get their chances. It's been heard that Harshit Rana might become the 19th member of this team. I would say let it happen. What's the problem? Let him play," he added.

Rana has picked up 48 wickets at an average of 27.79 in 13 first-class games. Kamboj has accounted for 79 dismissals at an average of 22.88 in 24 first-class matches.

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"Let there be continuity" - Aakash Chopra on Harshit Rana being preferred over Anshul Kamboj

Harshit Rana has picked up four wickets at an average of 50.75 in two Tests. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Harshit Rana deserved to be retained for the sake of continuity, highlighting that he fared well in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Perth.

"I am okay with it because continuity is sometimes more important than anything else in the world. So let there be continuity. Harshit Rana is a good bowler. He did well in Australia as well in the first match. Of course, the pink-ball Test match didn't go that good, but whenever he has gotten an opportunity, he is a good player," he said.

To conclude, the cricketer-turned-commentator opined that Anshul Kamboj will also get his chance to play Test cricket if he remains fit.

"Anshul Kamboj is outstanding, I am not denying that. His numbers are excellent, and eventually his number will come as well because if you are a good fast bowler, whether it's today, tomorrow or day after tomorrow, your number will come for sure. Remain fit and you will definitely get a chance to play for India sometime or other," Chopra observed.

Rana registered figures of 1/99 in 27 overs in India A's first unofficial Test against the England Lions. Kamboj delivered a spell of 1/69 in 22 overs in that game and returned figures of 4/62 in 21 overs across two innings in the second match against the same opponents.