'Should've picked him for Bangladesh Tests' - Dinesh Karthik wants India to use impressive Harshit Rana ahead of Australia tour

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Team India are preparing for gruelling Test season which will see them play 10 Tests before the end of the year. After a month-long break since the Sri Lanka white ball tour, the Men in Blue are preparing in Chennai for the first Test against Bangladesh.

As a part of the World Test Championship 2023-25, Rohit Sharma & Co. will host the Bangla Tigers for a two-match Test series, starting September 19. 

The squad has been announced for the same and former India international Dinesh Karthik disagrees with some of the decisions. He has opined on the exclusion of Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) superstar pacer Harshit Rana who is currently impressing in the Duleep Trophy.

The 22-year-old also had a stellar campaign in the IPL in 2024, bagging 19 wickets in total for winners KKR.

MORE: Dinesh Karthik confident on Rohit Sharma & Co. beating Bangladesh in Tests

What did Dinesh Karthik say on Harshit Rana's exclusion from India's squad for Bangladesh Tests?

Dinesh Karthik felt that Harshit Rana was hard done by the BCCI selection committee, after his stand-out performances in the IPL 2024. Despite receiving a call-up for the Sri Lanka tour, Rana is yet to make his India debut.

"I am very happy on India's team selection for the 1st Test," Karthik said.

"I just thought, could there have been a spot for Harshit? I felt he bowled well and there is something really special about him. But they already have four good medium pacers," the 39-year-old added.

Speaking to media outlet Cricbuzz, Karthik also hoped that the Ajit Agarkar & Co. consider the young speedster for the upcoming Australia tour. India will face the Aussies in a five-match Test series, as a part of the WTC 2023-25 cycle. 

Karthik lauded the 'special skills' of the 22-year-old and said he is a bowler with a lot of tricks up his sleeve. The Tamil Nadu born cricketer hopes that Rana makes it to India squad for the Australia Test series. 

"Harshit Rana has special skills, a good backspin on the ball, (gets the ball) kiss off the pitch, and is a very talented fast bowler. I really wish they take him to Australia because he will make a difference there," Karthik suggested.

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Which pace bowlers did India select for 1st Test against Bangladesh?

India picked four specialist fast-bowlers for the first Test against Bangladesh. Jasprit Bumrah made a come-back into the setup after the triumphant T20 World Cup 2024. 

Meanwhile, Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep and Yash Dayal have been handed call ups. 

Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.

MORE: Kohli could break another Tendulkar record against Bangladesh

Full schedule: Bangladesh tour of India

The first Test between India and Bangladesh will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai starting September 19. The Indian team have already arrived in Chennai to prepare for the inaugural Test.

Here is the full schedule of the two-format series as India host Bangladesh.

Full schedule: Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 

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