Ashwin highlights flaws in Harshit Rana’s spell against SL

**‘Amateurish’: Ashwin Highlights Flaws in Harshit Rana’s Spell Against Sri Lanka**

*By Parth Dhall | Sep 27, 2025, 03:20 PM*

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has pointed out significant flaws in pacer Harshit Rana’s bowling performance during India’s 2025 Asia Cup Super 4 clash against Sri Lanka. The high-stakes match was held at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.

### Harshit Rana’s Performance Under the Spotlight

This was only Harshit Rana’s second match in the tournament, and he struggled to make a strong impact. The Delhi pacer conceded a costly 54 runs in his four overs, managing to take just one wicket. Despite his expensive spell, India clinched the win in a thrilling Super Over finish.

Harshit found it challenging to adjust to Dubai’s conditions. As Ashwin noted in his post-match analysis, Rana was unable to settle into his rhythm early on and leaked runs heavily during his initial three overs. However, he did manage to bounce back somewhat in the final over by dismissing Sri Lankan batsman Pathum Nissanka, who had been in brilliant form scoring 107 runs off just 58 balls.

### Ashwin’s Candid Critique

Speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat,’ Ashwin was forthright in his assessment of Harshit Rana’s display. “I want to speak about Harshit Rana. Playing just a few matches, then sitting out others, can really affect confidence and rhythm,” he explained.

Ashwin didn’t hold back, describing some of Harshit’s mistakes as “really amateurish.” He urged the young pacer to take this experience as a learning opportunity going forward.

### Predictability in Bowling Style

A specific concern raised by Ashwin was Harshit’s bowling pattern. The seasoned spinner criticized the predictability in his deliveries: “One fast, one slow, one fast, one slow. That’s really amateurish cricket.”

This repetitive approach made it easier for batsmen to anticipate and capitalize on his bowling.

### Context and Player Background

Harshit Rana was included in the playing XI in place of Shivam Dube for the Sri Lanka game. Prior to this match, Harshit had featured only in the Oman game, which was also a dead rubber for Team India.

To date, Harshit has represented India in two Test matches, five One Day Internationals (ODIs), and three T20 Internationals (T20Is). While he has shown potential, he is yet to cement his place or consistently deliver impact performances across formats.

Overall, Harshit has picked up 48 T20, 32 List A, and 50 First-Class wickets, indicating a promising domestic record. However, the transition to top-level international cricket remains a work in progress.

*India now looks ahead to upcoming challenges with Harshit Rana aiming to refine his skills and address the concerns raised by senior players like Ashwin.*
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Asia Cup, India beat Sri Lanka in Super Over: Stats

Key Partnership Summary of India’s Innings

The Indian innings suffered an early setback with Shubman Gill getting dismissed cheaply. However, a crucial 59-run stand between Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings. At one stage, India were 92/3 when Sanju Samson joined Tilak Varma. The duo added a valuable 66 runs together. Varma remained unbeaten till the end and also stitched an unbeaten 40-run partnership with Axar Patel, helping India reach a competitive total of 202/5.

Bowling Analysis: A Tough Outing for Sri Lankan Bowlers

Sri Lanka’s bowlers did pose some threat during the innings. Five bowlers managed to take wickets, but none took more than one wicket each. Notably, none of the six bowlers used bowled at an economy rate below six runs per over.

– Maheesh Theekshana took 1/36 from 4 overs.
– Wanindu Hasaranga claimed 1/37 from his 4 overs.
– Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka shared 4 overs between them, each picking up a wicket.

Sri Lanka: Comeback and Key Performances

Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis early, but Nissanka and Kusal Perera put on a commanding 127-run partnership that tested the Indian bowling attack. At one point, Sri Lanka was well ahead in the contest, but Perera’s dismissal allowed India back into the game.

Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis struggled and were dismissed cheaply. It was Shanaka’s unbeaten 22 from 11 balls that kept Sri Lanka in the hunt. Nissanka was dismissed in the 19th over, and Sri Lanka finished on 202/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Indian Bowling Performance

The Indian bowlers had mixed success.

– Hardik Pandya bowled just one over, picking 1 wicket for 7 runs.
– Arshdeep Singh was expensive, conceding 46 runs from his 4 overs and taking one wicket.
– Harshit Rana, who dismissed Nissanka, was also expensive, giving away 54 runs from 4 overs.
– Axar Patel was ineffective, going wicketless in his 3 overs.
– Kuldeep Yadav, one of the standout performers in the tournament, took 1/31 from his 4 overs.
– Varun Chakravarthy also bagged a wicket, finishing with 1/31 from 4 overs.

Super Over Summary

Sri Lanka batted first in the Super Over, which was bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Singh dismissed Kusal Perera on the very first ball and kept up the pressure. Shanaka struggled to score and was also dismissed cheaply. Sri Lanka managed only 2 runs in the Super Over (2/2).

Abhishek Sharma’s Stunning Form

Abhishek Sharma once again showcased his explosive batting, hammering a blazing 61 runs off just 31 balls. This marked his third consecutive fifty in the tournament, following impressive fifties against Pakistan and Bangladesh during the Super 4 stage.

According to Cricbuzz, Abhishek became the sixth Indian batter to score three consecutive 50-plus scores in T20I cricket. The Indian batters achieving this feat are:

– Virat Kohli (3 times)
– KL Rahul (2 times)
– Suryakumar Yadav (2 times)
– Rohit Sharma
– Shreyas Iyer
– Abhishek Sharma

Asia Cup Records and Milestones

Abhishek Sharma leads the charts with 309 runs in Asia Cup 2025 from six matches at an average of 51.50 and a phenomenal strike rate of 204.63. He is the first batter to score over 300 runs in a single T20 Asia Cup edition, surpassing Mohammad Rizwan’s 281 runs in 2022 and Virat Kohli’s 276 runs from the same year.

Abhishek Equals Rohit Sharma’s Record

Abhishek completed a 22-ball fifty in the match, marking his sixth fifty in T20Is off 25 or fewer balls, thereby equaling Rohit Sharma’s tally. Suryakumar Yadav holds the record for India with seven such fifties.

Impressive Stats

– This was Abhishek’s 5th fifty in T20Is (total centuries: 2).
– He has scored 844 runs in 23 T20I innings at an average of 38.36 and a strike rate over 197.
– Across T20 cricket overall, he has amassed 4,353 runs from 152 matches, including 25 fifties and 7 centuries, with over 400 fours to his name.

Tilak Varma’s Promising Knock

Tilak Varma was undefeated on 49 runs, hitting 4 fours and a six. He has accumulated 893 runs in 31 matches at an average of 49.61, striking at 150.84. In T20 cricket overall, Varma has scored 3,802 runs from 125 games, including two centuries and three fifties. He has hit 49 sixes, just one shy of hitting 50.

Sanju Samson’s Valuable Contribution

Sanju Samson scored a brisk 39 runs off 23 balls, including three sixes and a four. Playing his 48th T20I, Samson has totaled 969 runs at an average of 26.18 alongside 55 sixes in his T20I career.

Pathum Nissanka’s Maiden T20I Century

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka registered his maiden century in T20 Internationals, scoring 107 off 58 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes. In his 74th T20I, Nissanka now has 2,211 runs at an average of 31.58 with 17 fifties.

In T20 cricket overall, he has accumulated 3,933 runs at an average of 29.13. This century was his second in T20s, alongside 28 fifties.

Nissanka Reaches 100 Sixes in T20s

According to ESPNcricinfo, Nissanka surpassed the milestone of 100 sixes in T20 cricket during this match. He now has 105 sixes overall, including 59 in T20Is for Sri Lanka.

Significant Milestones by Nissanka

– Fourth Sri Lankan batter to score a T20I century, joining Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Kusal Perera.
– Third batter in Men’s T20 Asia Cup history to score a hundred, following Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat and India’s Virat Kohli.
– First Sri Lankan batter to score a T20I century against India.

Kusal Perera Surpasses 5,000 Runs in T20 Cricket

Kusal Perera scored 58 runs off 32 balls, hitting 8 fours and a six. In his 88th T20I, he now has 2,276 runs at an average of 27.42 with 16 fifties and one hundred.

Versus India specifically, Perera has 392 runs from 13 matches at an average of 32.66, with this innings marking his fourth T20I fifty against India.

Overall in T20 cricket, Perera has surpassed 5,000 runs, accumulating 5,022 runs at an average of 25.71 with 25 fifties and 2 centuries.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Bowling Excellence

Kuldeep Yadav has been outstanding in Asia Cup 2025, picking up 13 wickets in 6 matches at an impressive average of 9.84 and an economy rate of 6.04. He currently has 82 wickets in 46 T20I matches at an average of 13.40.

Conclusion

The thrilling contest showcased stellar performances from key players on both sides. India’s batting depth and all-round efforts were well matched by the resilient Sri Lankan batting lineup. Individual milestones and records highlighted the quality and excitement of the match, adding to the rich history of T20 Asia Cup cricket.
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