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Harshit Rana made a striking entrance at head coach Gautam Gambhir’s team dinner in New Delhi, arriving in a luxury BMW 5 Series while the rest of the Test squad travelled by bus, sparking widespread social media discussion. The event, held on October 8, 2025, at Gambhir’s Rajinder Nagar residence, was an informal gathering aimed at strengthening team unity ahead of India’s upcoming tour of Australia.
Harshit Rana grabs attention with his stylish car entry at Gautam Gambhir’s Team India dinner
The Delhi-born pacer, not part of the Test squad for the ongoing series against West Indies, arrived separately in his BMW 5 Series, a vehicle reflecting his growing profile and financial success. While teammates like Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul arrived together in the team bus, Rana’s solo arrival in his luxury car quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions.
Fans and critics alike questioned the optics, especially given the ongoing debate over his repeated selection in India’s white-ball squads despite underwhelming performances. Former selector Kris Srikkanth openly criticized the decision, suggesting Rana’s inclusion stems from being a “constant yes-man to Gambhir” rather than merit, while others like Aakash Chopra urged restraint, noting that selection decisions rest with the board, not the player.
Here’s the video:
Harshit Rana arrived separately in a special car at coach Gautam Gambhir’s house for the team dinner.👌🏼
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12)
Spotlight on Rana’s performance and perception
Rana’s international career, fast-tracked after a standout IPL 2024 season with Kolkata Knight Riders under Gambhir’s captaincy, has been under intense scrutiny. With 19 wickets in IPL 2024, he earned a national call-up, but his returns have been modest: four wickets in two Tests at an average of 50.75 and an economy rate exceeding 10 in the 2025 IPL.
Critics argue his on-field theatrics amount to “showboating,” detracting from actual performance. Despite the controversy, Rana remains in the selectors’ plans, having been named in both the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia tour, where he is expected to rejoin the team. His presence at Gambhir’s dinner, albeit in a different vehicle, underscores his continued integration within the national setup, even as the debate over merit versus favouritism persists in the cricketing community.
