Former India captain and ex-chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth has lashed out on the nationwide choice committee for repeatedly together with Harshit Rana in India’s squads throughout codecs regardless of his inconsistent performances. The Delhi pacer’s shock inclusion in each the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup 2025 squads, adopted by his title showing once more for the upcoming Australia tour, has sparked widespread debate.
Harshit Rana’s steady inclusion in India’s ODI, T20I and Check squads raises eyebrows
India’s latest crew picks have seen important rotation, but Rana stays a relentless fixture. Out of all of the gamers named for the upcoming ODI and T20I sequence in Australia, solely seven have been retained – with Rana being considered one of them. Regardless of not cementing his place in any format, the pacer’s continued presence has puzzled followers and former cricketers alike.
Srikkanth voiced his frustration on his YouTube channel, criticizing what he termed as “complicated and inconsistent” choice ways. “By making such picks continuously, they’re complicated the gamers themselves. Even we aren’t positive what the choice shall be. Abruptly Yashasvi Jaiswal is there, then he’s gone. The one everlasting member appears to be Harshit Rana. No one is aware of why,” he stated.
“Be a Sure-Man to Gambhir”: Srikkanth’s blunt comment
Srikkanth went a step additional, hinting that Rana’s continued choice could possibly be as a result of his rapport with Group India head coach Gautam Gambhir. “You don’t choose some gamers even when they carry out, and take others even once they don’t. Finest is to be like Harshit Rana – be a relentless yes-man to Gambhir if you wish to be chosen,” he quipped.
He additional warned that such picks may hurt India’s long-term planning: “It is best to begin constructing in the direction of the 2027 World Cup. However with decisions like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, you may wave goodbye to the trophy.”
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Rana’s underwhelming file thus far
Rana’s rise via the ranks has been fast however uneven. Between November 2024 and February 2025, he made his debut throughout all three codecs. Within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he picked up simply 4 wickets in two Exams. His ODI outings towards England and within the Champions Trophy had been additionally abnormal, whereas his Asia Cup 2025 marketing campaign produced solely two wickets in two matches for 79 runs.
Within the Tremendous 4 conflict towards Sri Lanka, his economic system price got here underneath heavy criticism after he conceded 54 runs for a solitary wicket – a spell Srikkanth had beforehand slammed as “reckless.”
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