We should respect and celebrate that Harshit Rana is doing a good job: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra defends Harshit Rana against social media criticism: "respect and celebrate good job" despite Ajinkya Rahane's revelation of Rana's nervousness; highlights need for positive support for emerging Indian pacers.

By Rui 13 Jan 2026 in Cricket

New Update

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has heaped praise on the Indian pace bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana, who had an exceptional first ODI against New Zealand as India bagged a four-wicket win in Vadodara.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra asserted that the keyboard warriors have heavily trolled the pacer, but he added that he made himself a role model by performing well with both the bat and the ball.

“Harshit Rana should be talked about because he is spoken about negatively many times. It's said that he has come through a recommendation. It pains me if you say that any Indian player has been selected for India through recommendation. It breaks my heart," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“However, it's social media. They are keyboard warriors. No one can stop or call them out. So he has been trolled a lot. You trolled him, but he did so well that he made himself a role model. We should respect and celebrate that he is doing a good job," he added.

Delving into the details of the first ODI, Harshit Rana scalped two important wickets in the first innings. Later, he scored an important 29-run knock, batting at No.7, as he stitched a vital partnership with KL Rahul.

"He is performing well with the ball. In batting, he was sent up the order because Washington Sundar was injured. 29 incredibly important runs. He also picked up two wickets and bowled in different phases. He bowled with the new and old ball, and in the middle overs. I think Harshit is pulling his weight in the side," he said.

"He bats decently. Of course, he has been selected with promise because very few bowlers bowl at 140 kph and give batting at No. 8. He is doing all of that. You have a contender for the World Cup, where if you need a pacer and not a spinner at No. 8, you can always have Harshit there. I think he is doing a phenomenal job," he concluded.

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