Gautam Gambhir 'Badly' Scolded Harshit Rana, Told Him: 'Perform Kar, Warna...'

Harshit Rana's coach has revealed that Gautam Gambhir once scolded the pacer 'very badly' and threatened to bench him if he didn't pick up his performances.

Harshit Rana’s coach Sharvan has revealed that, contrary to popular opinion and taunting, Gautam Gambhir has often been among the first people to remind the fast-bowler not to take his place in the team for granted. In an interview on Saturday, Sharvan revealed that Gambhir once ‘badly’ scolded Rana and told him directly that only his performance could stop him from being benched out of the playing 11.

The revelation came hours after Rana shone with a four-wicket haul in the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, helping India win by nine wickets and avoid a series whitewash. He ended the series, only the third of his career in the format, as the top wicket-taker with six scalps at an average of 20.83.

“He called me and told me that he wanted to shut the outside noise with his performance," Sharvan told The Times of India. “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 bitha dunga’ (start performing or I’ll bench you). He sends a clear message to whoever you are. Rana is 23. Let’s give him some time."

Rana broke through the scene under Gambhir’s mentorship at Kolkata Knight Riders, returning the most wickets for an uncapped bowler in a title-winning IPL 2024 season. Since Gambhir became the coach, Rana has swiftly made his debut in all formats and remains one of the few to be in the scheme of things in each.

Some former cricketers cried foul and accused Gambhir of partisanship towards his state-mate, which the coach himself shut down earlier this month. Sharvan also joined him in that.

“First Krishnamachari Srikkanth took the case of this kid. After retirement, cricketers have started their YouTube channels to earn, but please don’t scrutinise any kid who has just started. They have the right to guide, scold, but please don’t say anything for your YouTube channel’s visibility," Sharvan said.

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