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Former Indian cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh has sparked a new debate on India’s team selection for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England. He has raised serious questions on the inclusion of young fast bowler Harshit Rana in the T20 team.
Harshit’s return to the Indian national cricket team has become the biggest talking point after the announcement of the team. The young fast bowler has been out of action for several months after suffering a serious ligament injury in his right knee ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Sadagoppan Ramesh criticizes selectors for suddenly recalling Harshit Rana from India
The injury caused Harshit Rana to miss not only the T20 World Cup 2026 but the entire IPL 2026 season as he focused on recovering and regaining full fitness.
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Now Sadagoppan Ramesh has accused the national selectors of being biased in the case of Harshit Rana. He questioned the standards being adopted for players returning from injuries. Over the years, many Indian stars have had to prove their fitness by playing domestic cricket before making a comeback into the national team. In such a situation, Harshit was surprised to get direct entry.
Sadagoppan Ramesh said in a video posted on his Instagram handle, “How did you choose Harshit Rana? I don’t think he has played any domestic cricket after knee surgery. No one knows the answer to this. Now just imagine the voice in Shami’s mind, or even imagine the voice in the minds of others.”
Ramesh cites examples of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya in latest attack on selection policy
The former Indian opener revealed that some big names were asked to play domestic matches after injury before being considered for selection again. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami will have to show that they are match-fit before returning to the India national cricket team.
He further added, “Whether it is Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, the management said they have to play domestic cricket to be considered for selection. Even when Hardik Pandya got injured, they were asked to prove their fitness for selection.”
As for Shami, he questioned whether he can bowl long spells after the injury and asked him to prove himself after the injury. Current T20 captain Shreyas Iyer himself was asked to prove his fitness by playing Vijay Hazare Trophy before the New Zealand ODI.
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India’s fitness policy under question after Harshit Rana’s T20I comeback
Ramesh has insisted that these instances have sent a clear message to the system for the return of injured players, but Rana was included straight back into the team after recovering from a knee problem without playing any domestic cricket.
His last appearance in Indian colors was in the warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, it remains to be seen whether Rana makes it to the playing eleven in the upcoming T20I series in Ireland starting June 26 in Belfast.
“There are many such examples. So, he has set the example that if a player has to come back to the Indian team, especially after an injury, he has to prove himself and his fitness in domestic cricket,” the former cricketer said.