Gambhir’s Favourite? Why Harshit Rana Is Always His First Choice

India’s Head Coach Gautam Gambhir has repeatedly picked Harshit Rana across different formats despite criticism and questions over his selections in the Indian Team. Gambhir sees Harshit Rana as a bowling all-rounder who not only picks wickets but can also score 20-30 runs consistently in the end.

In the recent ODI series against South Africa, Harshit Rana played all three ODIs and took only 4 wickets, and the economy rate was also quite bad. Gambhir sees potential in Harshit Rana and is working on him as a long-term project. Gambhir wants Harshit Rana to play at No.8 for the ODI World Cup 2027.

How Gautam Gambhir and Harshit Rana’s Bond Started?

Gautam Gambhir mentored Harshit Rana in IPL 2024 when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lifted their second IPL title. Harshit took 19 wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season and also took 13 wickets in the IPL 2025 for KKR.

After becoming the head coach of the Indian Men’s Cricket Team, Gautam Gambhir pushed selectors to fast-track Harshit Rana into the India squad after the IPL success. Gambhir praised Rana’s attitude and skills at many occasions; therefore, he added him to India’s squad.

Gambhir wants Harshit Rana - A Proper Bowling All-Rounder.

The teams like Australia, South Africa and England have bowlers who can contribute 20-30 runs regularly at the bottom. On the other hand, India struggles when the top order fails because the lower order cannot score runs.

Gambhir believes Harshit Rana can become a bowling all-rounder who can bowl and also score some runs at the No. 8 spot. Gambhir said, “We are trying to develop someone like Harshit, who can actually bat at No. 8 and contribute with the bat.”

Harshit Rana Stats:

If we see stats, Harshit Rana is quite effective in the Indian Premier League, but the economy rate is pretty much bad, and his T20I record is also not good. Harshit’s main problem is his economy rate, and there are lots of other bowlers who are more effective than Harshit.

But Gautam Gambhir wants someone who can bat as well; therefore, he keeps giving a chance to Harshit Rana despite criticism from the fans and experts.

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