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Former India opener Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir over the inclusion of Harshit Rana in ODI squad for the Australia tour. Srikkanth feels selectors are keeping the players confused with constant changes, like picking Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the ODI squad. He went on to say that Rana is the ‘only permanent member’ because he is a ‘yes-man to Gambhir’.
“By making such selections constantly, they are confusing the players themselves. Even we aren’t sure everyday 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
“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 probabilities, then you can wave goodbye to the trophy,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth unhappy with Rana’s ‘filmy reactions’
Rana made his ODI debut against England earlier this year. He was picked in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad as well. From five ODIs, he has 10 wickets at an average of 20.70. However, he did not fare well in the T20 Asia Cup 2025. Srikkanth feels that Rana’s attitude is not good, considering his aggressive send-offs.
“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 drives after the ball is already last 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,” the former chief selector said.
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Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj has returned to the ODI squad. Also, Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the ODI series but he will play the T20I series.
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