Former Indian selector and batting legend Krishnamachari Srikkanth has offered a pointed analysis of young pacer Harshit Rana's recent performances, acknowledging his talent but flagging a critical area of concern: consistency. Srikkanth's comments come after Rana's stint in the just-concluded ODI series against South Africa.
Srikkanth's Analysis: Brilliance Marred by Erratic Deliveries
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth dissected Harshit Rana's bowling in the three-match ODI series where the Kolkata Knight Riders bowler picked up four wickets from three games. While praising Rana's ability, Srikkanth identified a pattern that he believes is holding the bowler back. "The only issue with him is sometimes he bowls brilliantly and then bowls two bad balls. That's where he is losing his rhythm," Srikkanth stated.
He elaborated that this tendency to follow up excellent deliveries with loose ones disrupts the bowler's flow and pressure-building capability. Srikkanth specifically advised Rana against trying too hard. "He shouldn't overtry," the former India opener cautioned, suggesting that maintaining composure is key.
Potential and Praise Amidst Criticism
Srikkanth was quick to highlight Rana's strengths, pointing out his skill in shaping the ball. "He bowls a superb ball that comes into the right-hander and away from the left-hander," he noted. The former selector expressed confidence that with improved control over his line and length, Rana could evolve into a "very useful bowler" for India.
However, Srikkanth also used the opportunity to laud the performance of fellow seamer Arshdeep Singh, emphasizing his potency with the new ball. "But most important is Arshdeep Singh. He always strikes in the first two overs. That's a very important thing," Srikkanth remarked, adding that South African batter Rickleton looked scared to face him.
Addressing his own past critiques of Rana, which he clarified were not about his bowling ability, Srikkanth concluded, "But he has got the stuff to do well."
Rana's Response to External Noise
Harshit Rana, who has faced scrutiny from several experts questioning his place in the national side, recently addressed how he handles such criticism. After a match-winning spell where he snapped up 2 early wickets before wrapping up with another scalp, Rana shared his mindset.
"If I start listening to all these things, put them in my mind and take the field, I won't be able to play cricket," Rana said. He revealed his strategy is to block out the external chatter and focus solely on his process. "I try to avoid as much as possible. I just pay attention to what I have to do on the ground. I don't care about what is happening outside or what someone is saying about me," the pacer asserted, highlighting his commitment to hard work and on-ground execution.
The series against South Africa, which concluded recently, served as a crucial platform for players like Rana to state their case. With the cricketing calendar packed, managing rhythm and minimizing loose deliveries will be essential for the young fast bowler as he aims to cement a more permanent role in the Indian cricket team.
