**‘Gautam Gambhir’s Favorite’: Srikkanth on Harshit Rana’s Australia Tour Selection**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 5, 2025, 12:23 PM*
Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth recently took a light-hearted jab at Delhi pacer Harshit Rana following his selection for both the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Australia tour. Rana, who has become a regular feature in the Indian squad, continues to enjoy the consistent support of coach Gautam Gambhir.
### Srikkanth’s Quip on Harshit Rana’s Selection
On his YouTube channel, Srikkanth joked that Harshit Rana seems to be Gambhir’s favorite player. He humorously noted that aside from captain Shubman Gill, Rana is always the first name on the team sheet.
“Harshit Rana is a permanent fixture because he is Gautam Gambhir’s favorite. He is always a certainty and the first name on the team sheet after Shubman Gill,” Srikkanth remarked.
### Player Performance
Harshit Rana has impressed with his bowling figures so far. He has taken 10 wickets in five ODIs at an average of 20.70. In three T20 internationals, Rana has claimed five wickets at an average of 22.40.
### Harshit Rana to Make His Australian Debut?
Rana made his ODI debut earlier this year against England. With the regular pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah being rested for the ODI leg of the Australia tour following intense fixtures at the Asia Cup and West Indies Tests, Rana gets an excellent opportunity to showcase his talent on Australian soil.
### Selection Debate: Nitish Kumar Reddy Picked as Hardik Pandya’s Replacement?
Alongside Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been named in the ODI squad. However, Srikkanth expressed skepticism about Reddy’s inclusion, questioning whether he is a genuine all-rounder suited to Australian conditions.
“Where did Nitish Kumar Reddy come from? If you ask them, they’ll say he’s Hardik Pandya’s replacement. But the actual replacement for Hardik is Ravindra Jadeja, not Reddy,” Srikkanth stated.
### Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Background and Experience
Despite the criticism, Nitish Kumar Reddy does bring some experience in Australian conditions. He made his Test debut during India’s challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in 2024-25. Even though the team struggled, Reddy’s individual performances earned praise from fans and experts alike. This exposure could prove valuable for him during the upcoming tour Down Under.
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With Rana continuing to secure his spot and Reddy gaining opportunities, the Indian squad looks to be preparing a balanced lineup for a competitive series in Australia. Fans will be keenly watching how these selections pan out on the field.
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