IND vs AUS: “Perform or I'll drop you..”- Gautam Gambhir’s warning to Harshit Rana ahead of Sydney ODI

Harshit Rana picked four wickets in the third IND vs AUS ODI.

Indian Cricket Team fast bowler Harshit Rana finally delivered after consistent backing and silenced all the criticism. However, the reason behind his match-winning spell in the third ODI against the Australian Cricket Team was the ‘do or die’ message from the head coach Gautam Gambhir. 

Harshit Rana, who is touted as Gautam Gambhir’s favourite, has been under the firing line of fans and experts ever since he made his India debut. Despite not doing great, he has been a consistent member of the team in all three formats. But, finally he lived up to the expectations and silenced the trolls to some extent. 

In the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, he retained his spot in the XI despite having two below-par performances. The pressure was on him and he thrived under it, delivering his best ever performance in the ODI cricket. 

Rana took four wickets and returned with the figures of 4/39 that broke the backbone of the Australian Cricket Team. Thanks to his heroics with the ball, India ended the opposition’s innings on 236 inside 47 overs. 

Gambhir knows how to identify talent, and he backs them. – Harshit Rana’s childhood coach

However, the reason behind Rana’s performance has been revealed by his childhood coach Sharvan, whom he called before the match. The coach revealed that the pacer was keen to shut out the outside noise with his performance. 

He also lashed out at the fans and experts for lashing out at Gambhir over Harshit’s selection, revealing that the India head coach categorically told the pacer to perform or else he would drop him. Speaking to The Times of India, he said: 

“He called me and told me that he wanted to shut the outside noise out with his performance. I just said, Believe in yourself. I know some cricketers say he is close to Gambhir. But Gambhir knows how to identify talent, and he backs them.

“He has backed a lot of cricketers, and they have done wonders for their team. He in fact scolded Harshit badly. He told him directly, ‘perform kar, warna bahar bitunga.’ He sends a clear message to whoever you are.”

Overall in the series, Harshit Rana picked six wickets and ended as the leading wicket-taker. He is also part of the T20I series and would be keen to make an impact in the shortest format as well. 

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