Source: X
[Saba Sports News] Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik praised the BCCI selection committee for picking the 16-member squad for the upcoming Test against Bangladesh but questioned if there could have been room for another fast bowler, possibly in place of or alongside Yash Dayal.
Karthik suggested Kolkata Knight Riders’ Harshit Rana, who earned his first India call-up earlier this summer for the Sri Lanka ODIs, could have been included in the Test squad. His recommendation was based on Rana’s impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy, where he took four wickets in the first innings for India D.
“I just thought, could there have been a spot for Harshit? He bowled well, and there’s something special about him. But they already have four good medium pacers,” Karthik said.
Harshit’s rise came after a standout season with KKR, where he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches, the most by an uncapped player and fifth overall.
After the Duleep Trophy, Akash Deep, who made his India debut earlier this year, secured his spot as the fourth pacer for India. However, Karthik believes Harshit could be a valuable asset for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, saying, “He has special skills, good backspin, and could make a difference in Australia.”
With only eight first-class appearances and 32 wickets for Delhi, Harshit will aim to push for Test selection in the Ranji Trophy next month.