“Should Expose Him” – Gautam Gambhir Slammed for Defending Harshit Rana
Gautam Gambhir faces criticism for “shielding” Harshit Rana after India’s ODI loss to Australia, as Priyank Panchal urges him to test the young pacer’s role at No. 8.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has once again found himself in the spotlight, this time over his handling of young pacer Harshit Rana during the first ODI against Australia in Perth.
Gambhir, who recently defended Rana from sharp criticism, was told by former India batter Priyank Panchal to “stop shielding” the 23-year-old and instead let him take responsibility on the field.
In the rain-hit match, India suffered a seven-wicket defeat, and Rana had a rough outing with both bat and ball. The Delhi pacer went wicketless in his four overs, giving away 27 runs, and managed just one run off two balls while batting at No. 9.
His position in the batting order, in particular, sparked debate online. Taking to social media, Panchal questioned Gambhir’s strategy, saying that if Rana was being viewed as a bowling all-rounder, he should be tested properly at No. 8 instead of being protected behind an extra batter.
He urged the team management to give Rana more responsibility rather than hiding him lower down the order.
“If Harshit Rana is being seen as someone who can hit at No. 8, then we should expose him to that role and not shield him with an extra batter,” Panchal wrote.
He also suggested that Kuldeep Yadav should replace Nitish Reddy to strengthen India’s bowling in the remaining ODIs.
This comes just days after Gambhir strongly defended Rana in a press conference in Delhi. Responding to criticism from Kris Srikkanth and Ravichandran Ashwin, the former opener had said it was “shameful” to target a 23-year-old for online views.
