Amid ‘Outside Noise’, Gautam Gambhir gives Harshit Rana clear warning: ‘Perform kar, warna…’
In Saturday’s third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney, India’s Harshit Rana, a pacer, performed brilliantly with the ball, taking four wickets for 39 runs in 8.4 overs. Harshit has been working hard behind the scenes to contribute to India, both with the bat and the ball. In the second ODI, his late batting effort helped the team post a respectable total. However, some critics have questioned whether the Kolkata Knight Riders pacer deserves a spot in the ODI squad. Head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly gave Harshit a clear warning, as he aimed to silence his critics with his performance during the Australia ODI series.
When Harshit’s selection for the ODI team was questioned, his boyhood coach Shravan Kumar revealed the contents of a phone conversation between them. Many were surprised when the pacer was included in the playing XI for the Sydney ODI instead of Arshdeep Singh.
Gambhir reportedly warned the young bowler, “Perform kar, warna bahar bitha dunga” [Perform, or I will make you sit outside the team], in response to criticism of Harshit’s selection.
In a chat with the Times of India, Shravan said: “He called me and told me that he wanted to shut the outside noise with his performance. I just said, ‘Believe in yourself.’ I know some cricketers say he is close to Gambhir. But Gambhir knows how to identify talent, and he backs them. He has backed a lot of cricketers, and they have done wonders for their team. He in fact scolded Harshit badly. He told him directly, ‘Perform kar, warna bahar bitha dunga.’ He sends a clear message to whoever you are.”
Because of his association with Gambhir, Rana, a 23-year-old pacer, has faced harsh criticism and even accusations of nepotism. “Let’s give him some time,” his childhood coach said.
For his remarks against Harshit, Shravan also chastised Krishnamachari Srikkanth, India’s 1983 World Cup champion.
“First Krishnamachari Srikkanth took the case of this kid. After retirement, cricketers have started their YouTube channels to earn, but please don’t scrutinise any kid who just started. They have the right to guide, to scold, but please don’t say anything for your YouTube channel’s visibility,” Shravan said.
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