Veteran India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane revealed that Harshit Rana was nervous and sad after being trolled on social media during IPL 2025. Both Rahane and Harshit had played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the previous season of the tournament and had talked about the criticism that the latter had to face online.
Harshit has been subjected to sharp criticism after he was given constant chances in the Indian team despite underwhelming performances early on in his career. Though he drastically improved his bowling displays soon after, the criticism never really stopped. Despite the scrutiny, Harshit has now become a regular in the Men in Blue's white-ball set-up.
Rahane revealed that even though the criticism bothered Harshit a lot, he also motivated himself through it and this helped him improve his performances. Harshit's form has particularly been great in the ODIs as of recent. After picking up six wickets in the series against Australia in October, he racked up four scalps in the series against South Africa.
“See, we actually spoke about social media when he was playing in the IPL last year. In certain matches, he did not do well and I saw basically, a little nervous, a little sad. I was talking about it," Rahane said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
“It was bothering him. He said that people are talking about me, but that actually motivates me. This is what he said. When I see all the comments, when I see what they are writing about me, they don’t know how hard I have worked in my bowling," he added.
Harshit impresses against New Zealand
Harshit proved to be impressive in the first ODI against New Zealand as well and clinched the massive wickets of Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62). The duo had formed a big opening stand of 117 runs and it was the 24-year-old, who went on to break it. He dismissed both the batters in the space of just a little over two overs. He finished his quota of 10 overs with figures of 2/65.
India lead in the series
Meanwhile, India went on to defeat New Zealand by four wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series. They have taken a 1-0 lead and will go on to seal the series if they end up clinching victory in the second ODI that will be held on January 14 at the Niranjan Shah stadium in Rajkot.