Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra expressed his surprise after Arshdeep Singh was left out of the playing XI in the first T20I against Australia at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Wednesday. Chopra feels Harshit Rana doesn’t fit the bill yet in India’s T20I team.

India picked Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah as the two main fast bowlers in the team. Furthermore, the visitors selected three specialized spinners in the playing XI.

Singh also could not get regular chances in the Asia Cup as India backed seam bowling all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube in the team. Arshdeep is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 101 scalps under his belt, and thus his exclusion is a bit surprising.

Aakash Chopra said on ESPN Cricinfo, “It’s quite baffling that India’s highest T20I wicket-taker can’t find a place in the playing XI even in Australia. Of course, it didn’t happen in UAE for the Asia Cup. What are the chances of him playing in the World Cup? That’s the first thought that crosses the mind. The biggest takeaway is the philosophy with which this team has been playing for a while – that you need somebody who can bat at No. 8.

Chopra said Harshit Rana was picked ahead of Arshdeep Singh in the opening game because of his batting abilities at number eight. Rana had scored a fine cameo of 24 runs off just 18 balls in the second ODI against Australia.

“In this case, Harshit Rana was picked ahead of Arshdeep Singh, not because of his bowling ability, but just because of his batting. You could possibly understand if there is a better, more capable batter playing at No. 8. But, the sample size that we have of Harshit Rana’s batting ability is not big enough to actually suggest that he is a batter who can deliver regularly at No. 8. Harshit Rana doesn’t fit the bill yet,” the 48-year-old added.

The second T20I between Australia and India will be played at the MCG on Friday.