NEW DELHI: During the opening ODI between India and New Zealand, renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle came up in defence of young Indian pacer Harshit Rana.

While on commentary, Bhogle made it clear that the criticism aimed at the fast bowler over the last few months has gone too far and was simply ‘nonsense’.

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“I must admit I get disturbed by reading stories about Harshit Rana. I have had to tune my algorithm so that I do not have to read all that nonsense. He is among the leading wicket-takers for India,” Bhogle said during the broadcast.

Harshit once again ensured that the focus remained on his performances rather than the noise around him.

The young pacer continued his sublime form in white ball cricket as he removed both New Zealand openers in quick succession, at a time when the pair had already added 117 runs for the opening wicket and were looking in complete control.

He first got the breakthrough by dismissing opener Henry Nicholls with a clever slower delivery bowled wide outside off stump, with KL Rahul taking a sharp catch behind the wickets.

In his very next over, Harshit struck again when he got rid of the dangerous Devon Conway, who dragged a delivery onto his stumps off the inside edge.