3 Reasons why including Harshit Rana for first ENG vs IND 2025 Test might be mistake

The announcement perhaps no one expected: Harshit Rana joins the main squad in the UK for the 5-match Test series, starting from June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. Rana has included the team as a cover. The pacer was not in the main squad from the beginning; he joined Shubman Gill's troop after a late decision by the team management. The 23-year-old impressed with the white ball in hand, and later, in a Test match against Australia, Rana's numbers were attractive, but not enough to maintain his place in the playing eleven or in the squad as well.

When BCCI announced, "The Men's Selection Committee has added Harshit Rana to India's squad for the first Test in Leeds against England," Rana, who was a part of the India A squad, has linked up with the team as India began preparations for the first Test." Multiple cricket fans raised questions. 

Three reasons why Harshit Rana's inclusion in the squad can prove wrong:

Variation and skill set: The surface of Headingley is mostly known for favoring the pace bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah can create mayhem single-handedly. With the presence of Bumrah, they need someone who can support him from the back. The current squad has no one like Bhuvneshwar Kumar who can swing the ball in both ways. So, instead of Rana, whose control over the ball is still questionable, Indian team management could choose a swing bowler as an extra option. 

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Maintaining composure: After taking 4 wickets in Perth last year, Rana went wicketless in the following, which was a pink ball Test. In this match, the young bowler was clearly struggling to maintain a proper line and length. In a long Test series, where India and England will face each other in 5 matches, can Harshit maintain his composure under pressure? The answer is yet to be found. 

Depth in batting order: Why not Anshul Kamboj? Harshit played only one match against England Lions, in the first unofficial match, where he claimed one scalp against 99 runs and got 16 while he batted. Like Rana, Kamboj also bagged only one wicket from this high-scoring match, but Harshit conceded more runs than the other pacers. While the Haryana-born seamer spent 69 runs to take one wicket, Rana spent 99 against the same number of wickets. 

Anshul Kamboj vs. England Lions:

• India A vs. England Lions, 1st unofficial Test: 23, 1/69

• India vs. England Lions, 2nd unofficial Test: 2 & 51*, 2/56 & 2/6.