Harshit Rana is all of 23 years old, has played two Tests in Australia and is an ICC Champions Trophy winner for India. However, Harshit Rana has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately, with his credentials being questioned. What’s worse is that this criticism has come from some of India’s most decorated cricketers from the past.
The recently-retired Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, and former captain Kris Srikkanth feel that the reason why Harshit bagged a place in India’s ODI squad for the tour of Australia is because of something he did months ago. More so, if the social media is to be believed, Harshit Rana has been referred to as Gautam Gambhir’s ‘lackey’ given their association from the time at the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Kris Srikkanth questions Harshit Rana’s selection for Australia Tour
Ashwin was unsure of Harshit Rana’s selection for the tour of Australia. The former India spinner stated that he would love to be part of the selection meeting and try to understand the thought process that went behind his selection.
Stating the current team management’s inclination towards utility player, Ashwin, for a moment, suggested that it might be based on the belief that he can bat at No. 8 in Australian conditions, but he quickly expressed doubt over his batting ability, remarking that the pacer seems to be living off one brilliant IPL delivery from two years ago.
Srikkanth was equally brutal in his scathing criticism, and criticised Harshit Rana for his excessive on-field theatrics, saying the youngster focuses too much on showboating and ‘filmy’ reactions instead of his bowling, adding that such behaviour at a young age cost him dearly in the match.
The incessant name-calling and trolling infuriated Gautam Gambhir, who finally addressed the issue. The India head coach minced no words, and while he did not take direct names, the 44-year-old decided to dish out birthday bumps by calling out Ashwin and Srikkanth for sabotaging a 23-year-old’s reputation for some likes and views on their YouTube channel. Gambhir’s staunch defence for Rana was that such attempts are shameful, and if anything, a youngster like Harshit Rana should be encouraged, not pulled down.
Harshit Rana has faced constant criticism over his selection for the senior national side despite not having consistently made a mark at the highest level. Ashwin himself said last week that Harshit’s selection was questionable after he was picked for both the ODI and T20I series against Australia, starting on 19 October.
Speaking on his YouTube show, Ashwin said criticism is acceptable as long as pundits, former cricketers and fans talk about the game without resorting to personal attacks or a derogatory tone.
Former India off-spinner R Ashwin has reiterated his stance on Harshit Rana being targeted for selection to the senior national teams, days after Gautam Gambhir lashed out at trolls. Ashwin took an empathetic stand, urging those who mock the young fast bowler to consider his mindset — and that of his parents — if they were to see videos of him being trolled.
Everyone is targeting Harshit Rana- Ravichandran Ashwin
The debate and chatter around pacer Harshit Rana continues to grow. Ever since his inclusion in the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia, the knives have been out for the youngster and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Former national selector Kris Srikkanth started the entire discourse, alleging that Rana is constantly picked across all formats because he’s a “constant yes man” to the former India opening batter. Gambhir, who has never been one to back down, gave the perfect reply to Srikkanth when he came to address the media after the conclusion of the second Test against the West Indies.
Gambhir didn’t mince his words as he asked for more caution to be exercised and not to say anything just to get more YouTube views. Ravichandran Ashwin has now weighed in on the issue, saying there can be no place for personal attack in sport. Ashwin, who previously questioned Rana’s place on the basis of performances in the IPL 2024 season, sided with Gambhir, saying the criticism should have more merit and it shouldn’t just be there for the sake of it.
“I have always reiterated that no player should be attacked below the belt. When the attack becomes too personal, the genre changes. I would like to talk about Sanjay Manjrekar, who has criticised me throughout my career. But I have never held any grudge against him. What they say might be right or wrong, as long as the criticism doesn’t get personal, I am fine with it,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“Assume Harshit sees the reel in which he is being harshly criticised, and he is about to play a match for India, wouldn’t he be shattered by this? And if his parents and friends see it, what will be their mindset? We can definitely criticise their skill, their style of cricket and the trade that they are plying.
But it shouldn’t get personal. It may be funny once or twice, but it shouldn’t be a running theme. The reason they are doing this is that there is an audience for it. Negativity sells these days. They sell whatever is in demand. We should avoid consuming such content,” he added.
Ever since Harshit Rana’s debut coincided with IPL retentions in 2024, the chatter picked up speed around the pacer’s close bond with Gambhir. Despite being in the T20I squad, the 23-year-old didn’t make his debut. He only got a game after the IPL retentions were completed, when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) selected him as an uncapped player.
The pacer then made his debut in all three formats of the game. However, the talk became all the more ugly after he was named in the squad for the Australia ODIs. Ashwin said that he fully sympathises with Rana, as the trolling and its vicious nature can affect anyone
“Everyone’s targeting Harshit Rana left, right and centre. Let me ask you one thing: if the same Harshit performs well next year, will the same people put him on the same pedestal and celebrate him?” asked Ashwin.
“I am certainly disappointed. My request through this channel has always been to see cricket as cricket. Don’t buy or consume trash talk because that well could be your friend, your family, your son, your brother, your sister,” he added.
It was during Gambhir’s tenure as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders that Harshit first made his mark. The Delhi fast bowler took 19 wickets in the IPL 2024 season. Harshit made his international debut in Perth in November 2024 and has since represented India in all three formats. The fast bowler has taken four wickets in two Tests, ten wickets in five ODIs and five wickets in three T20Is.
With the backing of coach Gambhir, Harshit will be keen to block out the outside noise and put on a strong show Down Under, if he gets an opportunity.
India will kick off the ODI series against Australia in Perth on Sunday, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for Adelaide (23 October) and Sydney (25 October). The series will be followed by five T20Is, beginning in Canberra on 29 October. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli along with the rest of the Indian team will leave for Australia on Wednesday.