Srikkanth Praises Rana's Impact: 'New Zealand Captain Was Scared'
Former India opener Kris Srikkanth has lavished praise on Harshit Rana for his impactful maiden international fifty during the third ODI against New Zealand, claiming the all-rounder's aggressive batting left the visiting team "shivering" and their captain "scared." Rana's 52-run knock, coming when India needed over 11 runs per over, provided crucial support to Virat Kohli and briefly revived India's hopes in the chase of 338. Srikkanth, who had previously criticized the team management for selecting Rana over Shivam Dube, has now completely reversed his stance following the all-rounder's performances in the last two matches.
"The real game-changer was Harshit Rana. The way Rana was batting, New Zealand players were shivering. I was amazed by Rana's batting and performed at a different level. They were literally shaking and didn't know what to do. He was hitting sixes effortlessly and his batting was tremendous," Srikkanth exclaimed on his YouTube channel. He particularly highlighted the 99-run partnership between Kohli and Rana, noting that "Rana's hitting reduced [the required rate] to 10 and New Zealand were scared. New Zealand captain was scared too."
Despite India's eventual 41-run defeat, Srikkanth identified positive takeaways from the batting performances of Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, especially given the failures of established top-order batsmen. "If you look at the scorecard and the fall of wickets, they fell continuously. It was 1/28, 2/45, 3/68 and 4/71. Nitish Kumar Reddy came and steadied the innings and later hit sixes," he observed. This assessment reflects a broader narrative emerging from India's series loss—that while the result was disappointing, the emergence of lower-order contributors like Rana and Reddy offers hope for deeper batting resources in the future.
Srikkanth's转变 from critic to admirer underscores how quickly perceptions can change in cricket based on performances. Rana's ability to counter-attack under extreme pressure and his clean striking against a confident New Zealand attack demonstrated the value of having aggressive lower-order options in modern ODI cricket. As India looks to rebuild after this historic series defeat, the contributions of these younger players may prove instrumental in shaping the team's middle and lower-order strategy moving forward.
"The real game-changer was Harshit Rana. The way Rana was batting, New Zealand players were shivering. I was amazed by Rana's batting and performed at a different level. They were literally shaking and didn't know what to do. He was hitting sixes effortlessly and his batting was tremendous," Srikkanth exclaimed on his YouTube channel. He particularly highlighted the 99-run partnership between Kohli and Rana, noting that "Rana's hitting reduced [the required rate] to 10 and New Zealand were scared. New Zealand captain was scared too."
Despite India's eventual 41-run defeat, Srikkanth identified positive takeaways from the batting performances of Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, especially given the failures of established top-order batsmen. "If you look at the scorecard and the fall of wickets, they fell continuously. It was 1/28, 2/45, 3/68 and 4/71. Nitish Kumar Reddy came and steadied the innings and later hit sixes," he observed. This assessment reflects a broader narrative emerging from India's series loss—that while the result was disappointing, the emergence of lower-order contributors like Rana and Reddy offers hope for deeper batting resources in the future.
Srikkanth's转变 from critic to admirer underscores how quickly perceptions can change in cricket based on performances. Rana's ability to counter-attack under extreme pressure and his clean striking against a confident New Zealand attack demonstrated the value of having aggressive lower-order options in modern ODI cricket. As India looks to rebuild after this historic series defeat, the contributions of these younger players may prove instrumental in shaping the team's middle and lower-order strategy moving forward.
Also Read | 'You have to train how you want to play': Glenn McGrath explains why Arshdeep Singh's wide yorkers work
You can see Arshdeep Singh's plan from a distance.
- all of which fell on yorker length or ended as low fulltoss.
After Wari, Arshdeep could not hit the wide-yorker radar. If you are not confident in hitting, you will throw and hit it more often.
Where is the batsman trying to hit you and which ball am I going to bowl. While India's batsmen were seen going deep into the crease and negotiating Lasith Malinga's yorkers, Sri Lanka came up with a wide yorker plan two days before the final in Dhaka. The line was practiced so diligently that in the final, both the fast bowlers bowled wide yorkers and gave only 15 runs in the last three overs. They say.
- all of which fell on yorker length or ended as low fulltoss.
After Wari, Arshdeep could not hit the wide-yorker radar. If you are not confident in hitting, you will throw and hit it more often.
Where is the batsman trying to hit you and which ball am I going to bowl. While India's batsmen were seen going deep into the crease and negotiating Lasith Malinga's yorkers, Sri Lanka came up with a wide yorker plan two days before the final in Dhaka. The line was practiced so diligently that in the final, both the fast bowlers bowled wide yorkers and gave only 15 runs in the last three overs. They say.
Also Read | 'India is under pressure from 1.5 billion people, they have already lost the final in Ahmedabad': Shoaib Akhtar on India facing home pressure against New Zealand
The last time India played a World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, it was in the 2023 ODI World Cup when the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team lost against Australia by six wickets.
The Yakumar Yadav-led Indian team will take on New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, marking the fourth time that the two countries will face each other in a T20 World Cup match. Having won all three encounters against Australia, Mitchell Santner's New Zealand team will hope to defeat the defending champions and win their first World Cup title. It is believed that along with the pressure of '1.5 billion fans' on India, there will also be memories of the defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on the same ground. If favorable for the spinners, the par score will be around 200 or 175. "New Zealand should win this World Cup," said Game on High.
Looks strong. t, which means that obviously our high performance program has to be very specific and has to cater to the population that we've got, "but obviously, the talent that comes out of t India is phenomenal. व is.
The Yakumar Yadav-led Indian team will take on New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, marking the fourth time that the two countries will face each other in a T20 World Cup match. Having won all three encounters against Australia, Mitchell Santner's New Zealand team will hope to defeat the defending champions and win their first World Cup title. It is believed that along with the pressure of '1.5 billion fans' on India, there will also be memories of the defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on the same ground. If favorable for the spinners, the par score will be around 200 or 175. "New Zealand should win this World Cup," said Game on High.
Looks strong. t, which means that obviously our high performance program has to be very specific and has to cater to the population that we've got, "but obviously, the talent that comes out of t India is phenomenal. व is.
Also Read | T20 World Cup: 'You can make a really strong argument that he is the best fast bowler ever' - praises Stuart Broad
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah showed why he is considered among the best in the business with his decisive spell against England in the T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday. Bumrah, who was in tremendous form, scored just ten runs in his last two overs, including six runs in the 18th over while chasing the target. iya.
It is said that he is the best fast bowler ever."
West Indies great Malcolm Marshall was 'miles better' than him. Depending on the article, how will you declare Bumrah as the 'best'? It’s the best I’ve ever seen live, that’s for sure,” Broad said.
Are.
It is said that he is the best fast bowler ever."
West Indies great Malcolm Marshall was 'miles better' than him. Depending on the article, how will you declare Bumrah as the 'best'? It’s the best I’ve ever seen live, that’s for sure,” Broad said.
Are.
Also Read | Dale Steyn praises Jasprit Bumrah's 16th and 18th overs: 'Take away his two overs, and England would have won the game by one over'
Jasprit Bumrah's 1-33 against England in the semi-final was worth gold for India as the co-hosts eventually managed to win by just seven runs. Rest assured, Bumrah's 16th and 18th overs helped the crowd find their voice again and laid the foundation for India to clinch the nailbiter. Let's demonstrate.
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Also Read | 'If I were India I would be coming into the tournament, a team I wouldn't want to play in the final...': Brad Haddin on New Zealand
With a 3-0 record against India in T20 World Cup history, New Zealand has been one team that has given a tough challenge to India in the T20 World Cup. has never lost a T20 World Cup match against India since the 2007 T20 World Cup. Former Rajasthan wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin believes that New Zealand is a team that India would not like to play in the final and the Kiwis are not afraid of India in home conditions. This can ruin the party on its home soil. It was in the Knockout Trophy, where the Kiwis won the title with a four-wicket win over India. Was deprived of the title. He sees New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner as the key player in the final. .
