‘It’s the truth, and it feels bitter automatically’ – Aakash Chopra addresses criticism over Harshit Rana’s selection in 3rd ODI

Amid the criticism over fit-again Harshit Rana’s surprising selection to the Indian team ahead of the third ODI against Afghanistan, Aakash Chopra revealed the protocol which is followed in such situations. The third and final ODI is set to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20.

Rana sustained a right knee injury ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 and missed the entire tournament. He also had to skip playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Some fans wondered how Rana returned to the Indian team despite not playing any domestic matches.

Former India opener Chopra explained that as no domestic cricket is happening at the moment, Rana must have proven his fitness in a few simulation matches at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). Chopra stated that his update could come as a bitter piece of news for Rana’s doubters.

“Harshit Rana’s name has come in the Indian team. Someone was asking me how Harshit’s name came when he hasn’t played any domestic cricket. So let me just tell all of you that the rule to play domestic cricket is only applicable when domestic cricket is happening. Apart from that, you come after playing a few simulation matches in the COE, and it’s equal for everyone,” Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

“I understand that Harshit Rana gets a lot of hate, and you might say that I am doing PR in this video. I am not doing PR. I am just explaining the protocol to you. The protocol is the same for everyone. You don’t like me saying this, but it’s the truth, and it feels bitter automatically,” he added.

“The same is true for Harshit Rana” – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya also potentially returning to the Indian side without playing domestic cricket

Chopra added that experienced campaigners like Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, who are out of action due to injuries, will directly make it back into the national team after being cleared at the CoE by the medical team.

“If Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya play now, they won’t get a chance to play anything in between, but they will straightaway walk into the team because you will already come after practising and doing match simulation in the COE. The same is true for Harshit Rana,” he said.

Chopra said that when domestic cricket isn’t happening, it doesn’t make sense for a player like Rana, who has regained full fitness, to wait for months to get back into the national team.

“Whether you like him or you hate him, you will have to understand one thing. The rules will remain the same for everyone. Don’t focus on a specific person and follow the protocols. If domestic cricket is happening, you ask players to come after playing one or two matches, so that we get to know (about their fitness), but if domestic cricket is not happening, will he not play cricket for six months? It doesn’t make sense,” Chopra observed.