Kris Srikkanth — once a sharp critic of Harshit Rana’s selection — has now publicly lauded the young all-rounder after a career-defining cameo in India’s series-deciding ODI against New Zealand in Indore. The former India opener, speaking on his YouTube show, described Rana’s innings as a game-changing display that underlined the 23-year-old’s rapid growth in international white-ball cricket.
India were slogging at 178 for 6 while chasing a massive 338 when Harshit walked in. What followed was a fearless counterattack: Rana smashed a 43-ball 52, laced with four fours and four towering sixes, and stitched a crucial 99-run partnership with Virat Kohli. More than mere slogging, Rana’s approach blended power with control — straight-batted strokeplay and well-timed pulls — turning the momentum back toward India at a critical juncture.
“Virat Kohli is King of Kings. Bow down to him. What a knock!” Srikkanth said, before turning the spotlight on Rana. “But the real game-changer was Harshit Rana. The way Rana was batting, New Zealand players were shivering. He was hitting sixes effortlessly and his batting was tremendous.”
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Kris Srikkanth stressed how Rana’s 52 off those 99 runs gave Kohli renewed hope and reduced the asking rate, forcing New Zealand to re-evaluate their plans. Rana’s knock stands out not just for its aggression but for its timing. Coming in during the collapse that saw India lose early wickets in clusters, his partnership with Kohli briefly swung the game back into contention.
Yet the heroics ultimately fell short: Rana was dismissed in the 44th over, India folded for 296 in the 46th, and New Zealand sealed a 41-run win to clinch their first-ever ODI series triumph on Indian soil.
The Indore innings also marks a notable turnaround in public opinion. Last year, Srikkanth faced rebuke from head coach Gautam Gambhir after publicly mocking Rana’s selection; Gambhir had defended the youngster and admonished critics for targeting 23-year-olds for clicks.
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Kris Srikkanth’s recent praise shows how performance can shift narratives — from sarcastic jokes and social-media barbs to full-throated recognition. For Rana, the knock is a statement: he can play the finisher’s role with clarity and composure, offering India genuine lower-order firepower.
For India, Rana’s rise underlines a crucial truth — backing young talent through highs and lows sometimes yields match-winning returns. While the series loss stings, Harshit Rana’s arrival on a big stage is a positive takeaway for selectors and fans alike, signalling a deepening pool of dynamic options for India’s limited-overs future.
