What actually happened
- India’s squad list and playing XI saw Harshit Rana chosen ahead of Arshdeep Singh in certain matches (e.g., in the lead-up to and during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025/ODI series).
- Arshdeep is a left-arm fast-bowler, has had considerable experience, and many expected him to be a regular pick.
- Harshit Rana is younger (23) and less experienced at the top international level. He had worked under Gambhir (in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders) and was rewarded/selected ahead of Arshdeep in some matches.
The reasoning from Gambhir/Team India’s side
Here are the reasons that have been cited publicly for choosing Harshit Rana over Arshdeep:
- Tactical or skill‐set reasons
- Rana was seen as someone who could pick wickets in the middle overs and provide bounce in favourable pitches.
- Gambhir has said they wanted to “rotate” players and give opportunities to younger squad members in series where multiple games are available.
- Arshdeep, though talented and experienced in T20s, had fewer chances in certain ODI/white-ball games and this may be part of the strategy of giving other bowlers a chance.
- Backing young talent
- Gambhir has defended Rana publicly, saying his inclusion is based on merit, that critics should focus on performance, not background.
- Rana himself is reported to have been under pressure to perform, with Gambhir reportedly giving a direct message: “Perform or you’ll sit outside”.
The controversy & criticism
Even though there are these reasons, the decision has raised eyebrows and sparked debate:
- Many fans and cricket analysts feel Arshdeep was the better/safer choice, especially given his left-arm angle, which adds variety to a bowling attack.
- Accusations of favouritism have been made: Because Gambhir and Rana have worked together at KKR, some believe this played a role.
- Some critics say the selection lacks transparency — e.g., “why this player instead of that?” conversation has been loud.
My take – what it likely comes down to
Putting it all together — here’s what I believe is going on:
- Gambhir and the team management are trying to build depth and give opportunities. They might want to test other bowlers ahead of big tournaments rather than stick only with the established names.
- Rana being selected ahead of Arshdeep is not necessarily because Arshdeep is bad — rather it appears to be due to selection/composition strategy + management’s backing of Rana.
- However, perception matters: when you leave out someone relatively experienced (Arshdeep) for someone less so (Rana), especially when there is a known professional link between coach and player, the charges of favouritism will inevitably surface.
- The “perform or you’ll sit” message is interesting: it suggests Rana was given a chance but under clear pressure to deliver. And when he did (he took 4 wickets for 39 runs in the SCG match) he justified it.
What it means moving forward
- For Arshdeep Singh: His place is still very much in contention, but he may need to show strong performances and perhaps offer something slightly different/component that the team wants (left-arm angle, variety, etc).
- For Harshit Rana: He’s being given an opportunity and Gambhir has backed him — but the margin for error is small (given the pressure and scrutiny).
- For Team India: This kind of selection signals transition, experimentation, and building bench strength rather than relying solely on a fixed XI. That has pros (depth) and cons (lack of continuity).
- For fans & observers: The debate continues — how much should seniority count vs form vs team combination vs future planning? And how transparent should the selection rationale be?