Harshit Rana named third pacer in India's Asia Cup 2025 squad

India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad includes a surprise third pacer in Harshit Rana, chosen ahead of established quicks Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj, alongside frontline fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. The decision, announced as part of a 15-member group with five standby players, comes amid a broader strategy to manage workload ahead of a busy schedule and to provide opportunities to rising talent within the pace department. The tournament begins on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates, ends four days before India’s West Indies red-ball tour, and will test India’s balance between experience and potential in white-ball cricket.

The selection underlines India’s intention to pace the squad for the Continent Cup while planning for rest and rotation. The lineup also features Bumrah, who is back in action after limited involvement in recent white-ball assignments, and Arshdeep Singh, a trusted figure in the death overs. The choice of Rana as the third specialist pacer has sparked discussion about whether more experienced performers would have offered greater immediate value. Krishna was named as a standby, highlighting the depth the selectors are weighing as they...