AUS vs IND 2025: Former Indian cricketer slams 'Gautam Gambhir's yes-man' Harshit Rana after inclusion in ODI squad

AUS vs IND 2025: Former Indian cricketer slams 'Gautam Gambhir's yes-man' Harshit Rana after inclusion in ODI squad (Source: Alex Davidson - ICC via Getty Images)

Former Indian skipper Kris Srikkanth has come down heavily on Harshit Rana following his selection in India's ODI squad for the upcoming Australia series. 

Srikanth started off his unfiltered rant by questioning the rationale behind Harshit's selection. He also remarked how players who have not been given consistent opportunities like Yashasvi Jaiswal will always stay confused till the time players like Harshit are being selected. 

“By making such selections constantly, they are confusing the players themselves. Even we aren’t sure any day what the selection will be. Suddenly Yashasvi Jaiswal is there and then next minute, he won’t be there. There is only one permanent member – Harshit Rana. Nobody knows why he is there in the team. By chopping and changing all the time, they’ll dent the confidence of the players," stated Srikkanth in a video on his YouTube channel.

Srikkanth also conceded that the selection of players like Harshit and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the 2027 World Cup could prevent India from being serious title-contenders. 

“You don’t pick some players even if they do well and take others even if they don’t. Best is to be like Harshit Rana and be a constant yes-man to Gambhir to be selected. You should start building towards the 2027 World Cup. But I feel they’ve not. If you pick Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy among the probables, then you can wave goodbye to the trophy,” he added.

The former selector also pointed out how he did not like the "filmy gimmicks" by Harshit. He indirectly alluded Harshit to concentrate more on performances rather than "showboating".  

“Harshit Rana does too many filmy gimmicks. All these filmy reactions aren’t of any use, you’ve to actually bowl well. He does all these filmy reactions in the IPL as well. This is not a good attitude, it’s just showboating. He dives after the ball is already past him. Why dive after the goal has already been scored? Aggression is different but showboating so much at a young age is why he got punished today (1/54 against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2025),” mentioned Srikkanth.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of anticipation for India's upcoming series as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to feature for the first time in the team since the 2025 Champions Trophy. The first ODI is slated to commence on October 19.