'KKR quota?': Harshit Rana ahead of Anshul Kamboj for IND vs ENG Tests sparks debate; question Gautam Gambhir's influence
Harshit Rana staying back with the Indian Test team has stirred fan debate, especially with no official squad inclusion yet. Many are questioning the decision, citing Anshul Kamboj's standout performances on the same England tour.
A young and relatively untested Indian Test side, led by debutant captain Shubman Gill, is gearing up for its toughest challenge yet: a five-match Test series in England, starting this week at Headingley. The tour also marks the beginning of India's World Test Championship (WTC) 2025¨C27 campaign. While the main squad is already in England, several players had arrived earlier as part of the India A team for warm-up matches.
Now, reports indicate that fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana will stay back with the senior Test team, although his official inclusion in the squad is yet to be confirmed. Rana featured in two four-day games against the England Lions and an intra-squad match in Beckenham but will not return to India with the rest of the India A team. His extended stay has stirred debate among fans, particularly as fellow pacer Anshul Kamboj¡ªalso part of the India A side¡ªdelivered a more impressive performance in the same fixtures.
¡ª BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2025
Team India squad inclusion
"Yes, after much speculation, it¡¯s confirmed that Rana will stay back with the Indian Test team," a source familiar with the development told IANS. "However, it remains unclear whether he will be officially added to the squad for the five-Test series beginning June 20."
Most India A players who are not part of the senior Test squad or without county contracts are expected to return home on Tuesday. Rana featured in the first unofficial Test against the England Lions at Canterbury, where he took 1 for 99 and scored 16 runs.
Harshit Rana's Test & domestic record
The 22-year-old made his Test debut during India's tour of Australia last year but had a modest outing, managing only four wickets at an average of 50.75, with best figures of 3/48. He was not initially selected for the England series, with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel opting for Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna, along with regulars Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Beckenham done ?
¡ª BCCI (@BCCI) June 17, 2025
Headshots ? done ?
All set for Leeds ?#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/ygdFfoLNFR
However, Rana's first-class numbers show promise: 48 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 27.79, and a batting average of 32.80, including a century and two fifties.
Harshit Rana over Anshul Kamboj?
Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj made a strong impression in England, outperforming senior bowlers like Shardul Thakur, Mukesh Kumar, and Harshit Rana¡ªan especially remarkable feat given it was his first tour of the UK. During the second day of the first unofficial Test, Kamboj bowled a tight nine-over spell, conceding just 24 runs and claiming the opening wicket by clean bowling England Lions¡¯ Ben McKinney.
In fact, he first gained national attention in November 2024 after he took all 10 wickets in an innings for Haryana against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy. He returned with extraordinary figures of 10/49 and became only the third bowler in the tournament's history to achieve this milestone.
Fans suspect 'KKR quota' under Gautam Gambhir
The decision to keep Rana back has not gone unnoticed by fans, many of whom took to X (formerly Twitter) to question whether his selection was influenced by his IPL affiliation with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)¡ªthe team that new India head coach Gautam Gambhir led to a title win in 2024.
Some fans speculated that Anshul Kamboj, who plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), may have been overlooked due to the well-known rift between Gambhir and CSK icon MS Dhoni.
poor decision, Harshit disappointed in Australia, anshul kamboj should have been held back instead of him but GGs¡¯ KKR bias?
¡ª arnav. (@TheDrArnav) June 17, 2025
This is how politics works,gautam gambhir and the management have included Harshit Rana but not Anshul Kamboj
¡ª jason bourne (@jasonbourne0101) June 17, 2025
Harshit Rana is the most overhyped and biggest quota player of all time
¡ª Dhonismm (@Dhoniismforlife) June 17, 2025
If anshul kamboj does debut vs england this series, it¡¯s India¡¯s loss not his.
¡ª arnav. (@TheDrArnav) June 17, 2025
GG should stop the KKR bias.
Harshit Rana isn¡¯t good enough at the test level yet.
pic.twitter.com/hVPpsVEk1B
When asked about the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from test squad Gautam Gambhir said 'I am not a selector'.
¡ª PIXEL77 (@SaviourShrey96) June 17, 2025
But on the other hand Harshit Rana has been told to stay and Anshul Kamboj has been sent to India.
Gautam is such a hypocrite person.pic.twitter.com/zGoRth3m2Z
? Anshul outperformed Rana ¡ª but still out.
¡ª Abhinav MSDian? (@Abhinav_hariom) June 16, 2025
England Tour Stats:
Anshul Kamboj vs Harshit Rana
5 wkts @ 26.2. ??|??1 wkt @ 99
76 runs (HS 51*) ?|? 16 runs
Where¡¯s the merit, Coach GG? pic.twitter.com/3MJPRfo5d9
India's squad
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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