"Shameful from Gautam Gambhir"- Fans fume as BCCI adds Harshit Rana over Anshul Kamboj in squad for the first ENG vs IND test

By Vikas Singh Derek

Vikas Singh Derek has a Master's in Journalism and has written more than 50,000 articles. He currently works as a cricket content writer at Khel Now.

Published at :June 18, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Modified at :June 18, 2025 at 1:04 PM

(Courtesy : BCCI)

Harshit Rana and Anshul Kamboj played for India A in unofficial test series against England Lions.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday, June 18, added pacer Harshit Rana to the Indian Cricket Team squad for the first test against the England Cricket Team at Headingley in Leeds. The Shubman Gill-led side is set to take on the Ben Stokes-led side in the opening game from June 20.

Rana was recently part of the India A squad for the unofficial test series against England Lions. The right-arm pacer was picked in the playing XI in the first unofficial test at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury and picked up one wicket. However, he was benched in the second unofficial test at County Ground, Northampton.

Rana was asked to stay in England after the intra-squad game between India and India A, and then later, BCCI added him to the team for the first test against England. However, many cricket fans are not happy with the governing body’s decision to add Rana to the squad, as they feel Anshul Kamboj deserved to be there ahead of him.

Fans express dissent on X after BCCI pick Harshit Rana over Anshul Kamboj in India squad

Many fans criticised BCCI’s decision to choose Rana over Kamboj, as the latter showed much better form in the unofficial test series against England Lions. The 24-year-old picked five wickets across two matches to finish as India’s leading wicket-taker in the series. He also slammed an unbeaten half-century in the second unofficial test in Northampton.

Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dissent over the selection. “Anshul Kamboj” became a trending topic on the micro-blogging site. Some also blamed India coach Gautam Gambhir for favouritism towards Rana, as he is part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Gambhir was the mentor of the side in the IPL 2024 edition, when they won the title. Have a look at some of the tweets below.

Anshul Kamboj should have been added to the squad. Don’t understand this obsession with Harshit Rana #ENGvIND
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) June 16, 2025

Anshul Kamboj performed better and made headlines with his performance but Gambhir asked Harshit Rana to stay back in England for upcoming India-England series as 19th member of the squad and Kamboj has been sent back to India.Shameful as always from KKR lobby @GautamGambhir
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) June 17, 2025

This is the Gautam Gambhir era. Harshit Rana has been asked to stay in the England after doing nothing. But Anshul Kamboj who performed very well has left for India. If this is not favouritism and politics then what is?? pic.twitter.com/x9haQ990qd
— abhay singh (@abhaysingh_13) June 16, 2025

Anshul Kamboj:– 5 wkts, Avg: 26 vs ENG Lions– 79 wkts, Avg: 22 in FCHarshit Rana:– 1 wkts, Avg: 99 vs ENG Lions– 48 wkts, Avg: 27 in FC– 4 wkts, Avg: 51 vs AustraliaAnd guess who is selected for the senior team for the ENG series? pic.twitter.com/FlXefffkT9
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) June 17, 2025

I genuinely wanted to see Anshul Kamboj play in England. He has the potential to thrive in those conditions. It’s disappointing to see him sent back home, but hopefully, his opportunity will come soon. pic.twitter.com/xL5rQW9VWg
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) June 17, 2025

Board of Cricket Control of India ❌Politics Cricket Control of India ✅Had u been fair, Anshul Kamboj who bowled really well for India A would have been instead of Harshit.But Morkel and GG are using KKR quota here too🤡🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/fD03k61nXI
— arnav. (@TheDrArnav) June 18, 2025

Anshul Kamboj should've been added to the squad for the 5 match Test series against England. He should've been asked to stay with the team. He has performed well and has the potential to do better in those English conditions, but he's been sent back home.#AnshulKamboj #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/cLeqXFSb1i
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) June 17, 2025

Justice for Anshul Kamboj. IF these clowns manage to sneak Rana into the 11 whilst benching Arshdeep, I will be hatewatching the entire series and I mean it. One can guess how low BCCI has fallen, if I- who dislikes Brendon Mccullum so much, am hate-watching his opponent team. https://t.co/1ESlNJnfOX
— Skanda (@Skanda1153) June 18, 2025

Anshul Kamboj – 5 wkts, 76 runs Har-sh!t Rana – 1 wkt, 16 runs Just coz Anshul plays for CSK he sidelined him..Coach Gambhir & his sh!tty favouritism is gonna cost us big time Also, why is he still the ICT Test coach again?Can someone pls pull up his Test stats in England? https://t.co/Rc39qLxB6S
— _Its_Itachi (@Shree9503) June 18, 2025

Anshul Kamboj vs England Lions:76 Runs5 Wickets 26.2 Average He has scored an unbeaten 51* runs in the tour.He deserved a Test debut but unfortunately he's been sent back to India. Hopefully, he'll make his debut soon. 🇮🇳#AnshulKamboj #ENGvIND #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/ujWs1Pszdr
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) June 17, 2025

If you need an example of politics in cricket, just look at Harshit Rana– Rana ji's India A tour was the lowest among his fellow bowlers, be it Anshul Kamboj or Khalil Ahmed, but Rana was selected in team india The coach no role in this selection 🥶#HarshitRana #Cricket pic.twitter.com/dVYrqIuG6M
— Sachin sharma ( journalist) (@72Sachin_sharma) June 17, 2025

Meanwhile, Kamboj was part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025 and clinched eight wickets in an equal number of matches at an economy of 8.0, including a three-wicket haul in one encounter. He is yet to make his international debut.

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Vikas Singh Derek

Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.