**Rajeev Shukla Defends Harshit Rana’s Selection, Backs Gautam Gambhir**
*By Parth Dhall | Oct 14, 2025, 06:42 pm*
Rajeev Shukla, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president, has come forward to defend the inclusion of young pacer Harshit Rana in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia. The selection sparked criticism from fans and experts, with some alleging that Rana earned his place due to his association with Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
However, Shukla dismissed these claims, emphasizing the negative impact such remarks can have on a player’s morale.
**Accountability and Responsible Comments**
Speaking to ANI, Shukla said, “Gautam Gambhir is right. If someone has any complaints about the players, then it should be done responsibly. This will bring the players’ morale down.” He further stressed that the responsibility to select players lies solely with the team management and selectors, urging everyone to think carefully before making public comments that could harm a player’s confidence.
**Gambhir Stands by Rana**
Shukla’s statement follows support from Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, who defended Rana after India’s Test series win over the West Indies. Gambhir came out strongly against former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth, who had alleged on his YouTube channel that Rana was chosen as a “yes man” of Gambhir.
At a press conference, Gambhir slammed Srikkanth’s remarks as “shameful,” highlighting that targeting a 23-year-old player for personal or social media gain is unfair. He added, “His (Rana’s) father is not a selector. He has played cricket on his own merit.” Gambhir reiterated that young players like Rana should not be subjected to baseless allegations.
**Background and Progress**
Harshit Rana, a right-arm fast bowler from Delhi, made his international debut during India’s 2024/25 tour of Australia. Since then, he has featured in two Test matches, five ODIs, and three T20Is. Rana was also part of India’s T20 Asia Cup squad earlier this year.
As of October 2025, Rana has taken 4 wickets in Tests, 10 in ODIs, and 5 in T20Is. His inclusion in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting October 19, is a testament to the team’s faith in his talent.
With strong backing from both the BCCI and the coaching staff, Rana aims to make a significant impact in Indian cricket while leaving distractions and accusations behind.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/rajeev-shukla-responds-to-gautam-gambhir-s-remarks/story