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Former cricketer Aakash Chopra said that fast bowler Harshit Rana needs to step up for the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL 2025. KKR are back on the winning track in the ongoing season after a 14-run win over Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday and kept their playoff hopes alive. However, Harshit couldn’t contribute much to the win as he went wicketless by conceding 49 runs in his four overs.
Harshit Rana played a crucial role in KKR’s title-winning campaign last year, taking 19 wickets in 13 matches. He also made his debut for India after that and was a part of the Champions Trophy 2025 winning team. Harshit also scalped 11 wickets in 10 matches this season so far but isn’t looking in great touch from the last few matches. Speaking about on his form, Aakash Chopra said that Rana isn’t a new comer anymore and has to deliver for KKR.
"In the bowling department, Harshit Rana needs to step up. They’ve invested a lot in him, and if they’re not going to play an overseas fast bowler, they need more from their Indian pacers. Let’s not forget, he’s an ICC trophy winner — he’s not a newcomer anymore,” Aakash Chopra was quoted as saying by India Today.
KKR team hasn’t peaked yet: Aakash Chopra
Speaking further, Aakash Chopra said that KKR hasn’t peaked in the ongoing IPL season like they did in the previous year. The former cricketer feels that KKR have ability to score 240 runs consistently with the star studded batting order they but haven’t been able to capitalize on the resources.
“Varun Chakravarthy wasn’t at his best, but KKR made smart choices — Anukul Roy bowled four overs for just 27 runs and took a wicket. Sunil Narine was absolutely outstanding; he won them the game single-handedly with the ball. That said, this KKR team hasn’t peaked yet. Scoring 204 is great, but with the kind of batting depth they have, they could be getting to 240," Aakash Chopra said.
