‘Gautam Gambhir is right’: Rajeev Shukla defends Harshit Rana’s place in Indian team

The selection of fast bowler Harshit Rana in the Indian team has been fraught with controversy, with social media users believing he is a first choice in the side even before the team sheet is made because to his close relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, Rajeev Shukla, vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has stated that the selection process is fully fair.

Rajeev Shukla has stated that the public should also make a responsible decision to file any objections or criticisms about the team selecting process.

Shukla echoed Gambhir’s sentiments, claiming that Rana deserved a place in the national team, and added that needless abuse on the internet might harm a player’s psyche.

“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. It is the job of the team to select players. So, before you say anything about the players, you should think about how much responsibility you should take,” Shukla was quoted as saying by Tribune India.

India claim comfortable win in New Delhi over West Indies

These comments came after India’s resounding 2–0 series win against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. The Shubman Gill-led side had already won the first game in Ahmedabad by an innings and 140 runs, and came into the New Delhi contest with an unassailable lead in the two-match series. On the fifth day of the second and final match, India chased down a modest 58-run total to seal a comfortable victory.

The team will next be travelling to Australia for a multi-format white-ball series against the Mitchell Marsh-led side, comprising three One-Day Internationals and five T20Is. Rana, who is a part of both the squads, will be expected to play a key role in the 50-overs squad, as names like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami have been rested.