Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has showered praise on Harshit Rana after the bowling all-rounder delivered in the first ODI against New Zealand. Srikkanth has been one of the naysayers of Rana but lauded the Delhi cricketer for his fine show.

Rana returned with figures of 2-65 in the 10 overs he bowled against the Kiwis in the opening ODI at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara on Sunday. The fast bowler from Delhi accounted for New Zealand openers – Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway.

The Blackcaps’ openers had added 117 runs for the opening alliance but Rana was able to provide a double breakthrough after Shubman Gill decided to field first.

Furthermore, Rana was promoted to number seven after Washington Sundar suffered a back injury in the first innings. Rana played a crucial cameo of 29 runs off just 23 balls to help India get close to the target of 301.

“I criticised him the maximum. But at that time, he needed the criticism. But you always want to prove a point, and he is trying to prove a point. He is like look Cheeka, I am a proper bowling all-rounder. Cheeka sir, please look at me, I am not a bad bowling all-rounder. He is able to get those wickets, which is very important. Wicket-taking is very important. That is something fantastic,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.

The 1983 World Cup-winning player also questioned KL Rahul’s batting position. Rahul batted at number six after Ravindra Jadeja and played an unbeaten knock of 29 runs off 21balls.

“KL Rahul is coming after Jadeja. I do not understand the theory. But leave it. You send him anywhere, you send him opening, he will win matches you send him at four, he will, you send him at six also he will. That is KL Classy Rahul for you. His partnership with Harshit Rana was also very crucial,” he said.

The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Rajkot on Wednesday.