‘Perform kar, warna bahar bitha dunga’: Gambhir’s warning inspires Rana:Pacer’s four-wicket burst at SCG silences critics; childhood coach hits back at Srikkanth

Under fire for his selection and struggling for rhythm, Harshit Rana walked into the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with heavy expectations. The 23-year-old pacer had been criticised for being “Gautam Gambhir’s man” and for failing in Perth and Adelaide. But when his moment came in the third and final ODI against Australia, Rana let his bowling speak. Four wickets, zero words Extracting bounce and pace off the SCG turf, Rana produced a fiery spell of 4 for 39 in 8.4 overs at an economy of 4.50. His effort bowled out Australia for 236 and helped India clinch the series. Also Read | Shreyas Iyer likely to be out for three weeks Having faced trolling over his selection ahead of Arshdeep Singh, Rana did not celebrate loudly, just walked back quietly, message delivered without words. ‘Perform kar, warna bahar bitha dunga’ According to a Times of India report, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had given Rana a direct ultimatum before the match: “Perform kar, warna bahar bitha dunga” (Perform or sit out). That tough message, Rana later told his childhood coach Sharvan, became the turning point. “He called me and said he wanted to shut the outside noise with his performance. I told him to believe in himself,” Sharvan said. Coach defends Rana, slams Srikkanth’s remark Sharvan defended Gambhir’s backing of the young pacer and denied claims of bias. “People say he’s close to Gambhir, but Gambhir just knows how to identify and back talent. He even scolded Harshit badly. He sends a clear message, no matter who you are” Sharvan told TOI. Also Read | ‘Don’t know if we will come to Australia again’: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli share experience playing in AUS He also hit back at former India captain Kris Srikkanth, who had alleged that Rana was picked because of his links with Gambhir. “After retirement, some cricketers start YouTube channels for visibility. But please don’t scrutinise a young player who’s just starting out,” he said. Redemption complete Following India’s 2-0 Test win over West Indies earlier this month, Gambhir himself called Srikkanth’s comments “shameful.” Rana, meanwhile, ended the Australia series as the highest wicket-taker across both teams, a breakthrough that should boost his confidence heading into India’s next white-ball assignments.