Young Indian pacer Harshit Rana found himself in the spotlight during the Asia Cup 2025 clash against Sri Lanka. While the match itself was inconsequential, with India already securing a spot in the final and Sri Lanka eliminated, it offered a chance for players like Rana and Arshdeep Singh to gain valuable game time, as senior bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube were rested.
However, Rana’s performance was far from ideal. He struggled to find his rhythm, conceding 54 runs in his four overs while managing to pick up just one wicket. This prompted sharp criticism from former Indian selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth.
Srikkanth didn’t hold back, lambasting Rana for his perceived “filmy gimmicks” and excessive showboating. “Harshit Rana indulges in too many dramatic gestures. These cinematic reactions are pointless; you actually need to bowl well. He displays similar theatrics in the IPL too. This isn’t a good attitude; it’s simply grandstanding. He dives after the ball has long passed him. Why celebrate after the moment has gone? Aggression is one thing, but such excessive showboating at a young age is why he paid the price today,” Srikkanth stated.
While critiquing the pacers, Srikkanth was quick to praise India’s spin attack. “India’s victory was largely due to the four crucial overs bowled by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in the middle. Their bowling was truly magical. Wrist spinners consistently prove to be potential match-winners, and today was a clear example. Sri Lanka, however, did manage to expose some vulnerabilities in the Indian bowling lineup. Axar Patel, for instance, can be easily targeted if there’s no turn on offer,” he elaborated.
Arshdeep Singh, making his return after a stint on the bench, also appeared somewhat rusty during his spell. Bowling coach Morne Morkel addressed the performances of both Rana and Singh, acknowledging the challenges they faced.
“Within our team environment, we strive to move past the culture of excuses. We expect players to deliver on the field, reflecting the effort they put into training. Sometimes, it boils down to a lack of match practice. You can bowl extensively in the nets, but nothing truly replicates the intensity of game time. As a team, we demand performance from our players. While it might not be happening for them consistently right now, in the broader scheme, the team is still winning. These individuals are undeniably ‘X factors’ and match-winners on their best days,” Morkel explained.
Ultimately, this match provided the team management with a vital opportunity to assess their reserve players ahead of upcoming significant tournaments. The varied performances of both bowlers underscored the constant challenge of maintaining optimal match readiness, especially for those who spend time on the sidelines.