You can troll Harshit Rana all you want, but the young fast bowler has made one thing clear — he prefers to respond with performances, not words. No matter how loud the criticism gets online, Rana continues to do what he does best: deliver for his team.
A Bowler Backed by Belief
At just 23, Harshit Rana is already showing the maturity of a seasoned cricketer. He’s an all-format bowler trusted by none other than Gautam Gambhir, a man known for his sharp cricketing instincts and fearless leadership. And if it’s considered “wrong” for team management to back a young player, then so be it - because this so-called “wrong” has produced results that speak for themselves.
A Standout Series Performance
In the recently concluded ODI series, Rana emerged as the highest wicket-taker, claiming six wickets in three matches. That tally includes a crucial four-wicket haul in the third ODI, a performance that turned the game in his team’s favor.
And these weren’t soft wickets. His victims included top names like Travis Head, Matthew Short, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, and Josh Hazlewood. Five of those six are recognized batters - proof that Rana isn’t just capitalizing on tailenders but making genuine inroads through quality batting line-ups.
Criticism vs Context
Yes, Rana’s economy rate in the series stood at six runs per over. But context matters. Adam Zampa, who received widespread praise for his spells, maintained a similar economy rate. So why the double standards? If Zampa’s numbers are considered impressive, then Rana’s should deserve equal appreciation, especially for a pacer still in the early stages of his international journey.
This isn’t an isolated purple patch. Across eight ODIs, Harshit Rana has already taken 16 wickets at an economy of 5.8, a stellar start for a 23-year-old who’s still learning the nuances of top-level cricket.
Trust That Breeds Confidence
Rana’s rise is a direct result of the faith shown in him by his coach and management. Their support has allowed him to perform freely, unaffected by outside noise. Had the team paid attention to online trolls, Rana might not even have played the final ODI.
One thing is clear - Gautam Gambhir sees something special in Harshit Rana that many fans haven’t recognized yet. And if his current trajectory continues, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the cricketing world sees it too.
