'Gautam Gambhir's favorite': Srikkanth on Harshit Rana's Australia tour selection
What's the story
Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has taken a light-hearted jab at Harshit Rana after the Delhi pacer was picked for both ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Australia tour. The fast bowler has become a regular fixture in the squad, thanks to coach Gautam Gambhir's consistent support. Srikkanth found this development amusing and couldn't resist making a joke about it on his YouTube channel.
Quip
Srikkanth takes a dig at Rana's selection
Srikkanth joked that Harshit Rana is clearly Gambhir's favorite player and apart from captain Shubman Gill, is the first name on the team sheet. "Harshit Rana is a permanent because he is Gautam Gambhir's favorite. He is always a certainty and the first name on the team sheet after Shubman Gill," he said on his YouTube channel. Notably, Rana owns 10 wickets from five ODIs at 20.70. In three T20Is, he has picked up five wickets at 22.40.
Player profile
Rana to make his Australian debut?
Harshit Rana made his ODI debut earlier this year against England and has been a regular in the squad in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. The latter recently played back-to-back Asia Cup and West Indies Tests but has been rested for the ODI leg of the Australian tour. This gives Rana an opportunity to showcase his skills on an international platform.
Selection debate
Nitish Kumar Reddy picked as Hardik Pandya's replacement
Along with Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy was also picked in the ODI squad. However, Srikkanth questioned this decision and said that Reddy isn't a proper all-rounder and would struggle on Australian pitches. He said, "Where did Nitish Kumar Reddy come from? If you ask them they'll say he's Hardik Pandya's replacement. But the actual replacement for Hardik is Ravindra Jadeja not Reddy."
Player background
Reddy has experience in Australian conditions
Despite Srikkanth's criticism, Nitish Kumar Reddy has some experience in Australian conditions. He made his Test debut during India's troubled Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in 2024-25. Despite the team's poor performance, Reddy's individual showing earned praise from fans and experts alike. This experience could prove beneficial for him on the upcoming tour Down Under.