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 identify showing once more for the upcoming Australia tour, has sparked widespread debate.
Harshit Rana’s steady inclusion in India’s ODI, T20I and Take a look at squads raises eyebrows
India’s latest group picks have seen vital 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 one in all 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 techniques. “By making such picks continually, they’re complicated the gamers themselves. Even we aren’t positive what the choice will likely be. All of a sudden 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 may very well be because of his rapport with Crew India head coach Gautam Gambhir. “You don’t decide 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’s best to begin constructing in direction of the 2027 World Cup. However with decisions like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, you possibly can wave goodbye to the trophy.”
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Rana’s underwhelming report to this point
Rana’s rise by way of 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 fee got here below heavy criticism after he conceded 54 runs for a solitary wicket – a spell Srikkanth had beforehand slammed as “reckless.”
Additionally READ: “It’s very difficult to have…” – Ajit Agarkar on Shubman Gill replacing Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain
