# 'Gautam Gambhir is Right': BCCI's Bold Declaration After Harshit Rana Accused of Favouritism, Subjected to Trolling
**Posted on October 15, 2025**
In the high-stakes world of Indian cricket, where selections can spark as much drama as a boundary-line catch, young pacer Harshit Rana has become the unintended epicenter of a heated debate. At just 23, the Delhi speedster—fresh off a Champions Trophy triumph and two Tests Down Under—finds himself in the crosshairs of favouritism allegations, relentless social media trolling, and pointed jabs from cricket legends. His "crime"? Being picked for India's upcoming ODI series against Australia, a call that's been linked by detractors to his past ties with head coach Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Enter Gambhir's fiery defense and the BCCI's unequivocal backing: a bold stand that's reignited conversations on merit, morale, and the toxic side of cricket commentary.
The saga unfolded post the squad announcement, with Rana's name popping up across formats despite a patchy Asia Cup showing—where he leaked runs against Sri Lanka and Oman. But it's the whispers of "Gambhir's blue-eyed boy" that have turned whispers into roars, prompting Gambhir to unleash a post-match tirade after India's 2-0 Test sweep over West Indies. "It's shameful that you're targeting a 23-year-old personally," Gambhir fumed, slamming the "YouTube views" motive behind the barbs. The BCCI, through vice-president Rajeev Shukla, didn't hold back: "Gautam Gambhir is right." This isn't just lip service—it's a clarion call for responsible critique in a sport where young dreams hang by a thread.
## The Spark: Why Harshit Rana Became Cricket's Latest Lightning Rod
Harshit Rana's trajectory has been meteoric since bursting onto the scene. Debuting for India in 2024, he's notched key wickets in white-ball cricket and even contributed with the bat lower down. His inclusion in the ODI squad—led by Shubman Gill, featuring stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and a pace attack with Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh—seemed logical on paper. Yet, cracks appeared fast.
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth lit the fuse in a viral YouTube rant, mocking Rana's theatrics and permanence in the side: "There's only one permanent member, Harshit Rana. Nobody knows why he is there... Best is to be like Harshit and be a constant yes-man to Gambhir." Srikkanth, a selector himself in the past, implied selection bias, tying it to Rana's KKR roots where Gambhir mentored him. Ravichandran Ashwin piled on with curiosity: "I'd love to be in the selection meeting to know the reason... They might say he's a lower-order batter, but doubts remain."
Social media amplified the chaos. Hashtags like #HarshitRanaFavouritism trended, with trolls dubbing him Gambhir's "lackey." A photo of Rana arriving in a luxury car at Gambhir's pre-West Indies Test dinner added kerosene—pure optics fodder for the outrage machine. Fans and pundits questioned: In a pace-deep India, why him over others like Umran Malik or Mukesh Kumar? The Asia Cup flops didn't help, painting Rana as unproven for the big leagues.
## Gambhir's Fiery Counter: "Target Me, Not the Kid"
Gautam Gambhir, never one to mince words, didn't let it slide. In a Delhi presser after the Windies series clincher—where Shubman Gill etched his name as a winning captain—Gambhir went full throttle. "Harshit’s father is not an ex-chairman, not an ex-cricketer, not an NRI. It isn’t fair to target an individual... Social media trolling is just not right, and imagine the mindset." He urged critics: "Don’t say anything to run your YouTube channel—if you want, target me. I can handle it, but leave that kid alone."
Gambhir's broader ethos? Youngsters like Rana embody India's future. "A player like Harshit should be encouraged, not pulled down," he asserted, flipping the narrative from nepotism to nurturing. It's vintage GG—blunt, protective, and unapologetic—echoing his own combative playing days. By calling out the "moral responsibility" of ex-players, he drew a line: Critique performance, not pedigree.
## BCCI Steps In: "Gautam Gambhir is Right" – A Shield for the Squad
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wasted no time aligning with their coach. Vice-president Rajeev Shukla, speaking to ANI, delivered the mic-drop: "Gautam Gambhir is right. If someone has any complaints about the players, then it should be done responsibly... This will bring the player's morale down." It's a rare public flex from the BCCI, signaling zero tolerance for toxicity that could dent emerging talent.
Shukla's words underscore a deeper BCCI philosophy: Selections are merit-driven, scrutinized by a committee blending data, form, and potential. Rana's stats—impressive domestic hauls and international cameos—back this. Yet, the board's intervention highlights a growing concern: In the echo chamber of social media and ex-player podcasts, unfiltered barbs risk scarring psyches. As Shukla put it, "Before you say something, think about the impact."
Here's a quick breakdown of the key voices in the storm:
| Figure | Stance on Rana's Selection | Key Quote |
|---------------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------|
| Kris Srikkanth | Critical; alleges favouritism | "Be a constant yes-man to Gambhir to get selected." |
| Ravichandran Ashwin| Curious; questions rationale | "I'd love to be in the selection meeting." |
| Gautam Gambhir | Defensive; calls trolling shameful | "Target me, not the 23-year-old kid." |
| Rajeev Shukla (BCCI)| Supportive; urges responsibility | "Gautam Gambhir is right... Do it responsibly." |
## The Bigger Picture: Trolling's Toll and Cricket's Moral Compass
This isn't isolated—Indian cricket has seen its share of selection sagas, from Ishan Kishan's exile to KL Rahul's rotational woes. But Rana's case spotlights a darker trend: How online vitriol, amplified by influencers chasing clicks, erodes trust and talent. Gambhir's rant isn't just personal; it's a plea for perspective. In a post-Dravid era, where Gambhir's no-nonsense approach is reshaping Team India, protecting rookies is paramount.
For Rana, the noise is just that—noise. Focused on Australia's bouncy pitches, where his raw pace could shine, he's reportedly shrugging it off with team support. The ODI series, starting late October, offers redemption: Bowl fire, silence the doubters.
As India eyes World Cup 2027 horizons, Gambhir and the BCCI's united front sends a message: Cricket thrives on competition, not cancellation. Encouragement over envy—because pulling down a rising star dims the game's brightest lights.
What's your take—fair critique or foul play? Should ex-players rein it in? Drop your thoughts below, and let's keep the discourse classy.
*Sources: Insights from Hindustan Times, Zee News, India.com, News18, Times of India, Inside Sport, NDTV Sports, and Firstpost.*
