Contrary to the reports that emerged yesterday, Harshit Rana has not been added to the Indian squad for the third and final Test match against New Zealand. The Rohit Sharma-led side is slated to save them from a whitewash as they host the Kiwis at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On the pre-match press conference, India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar refuted any claims of Harshit Rana joining the Indian camp for the last Test.
No Harshit Rana for IND vs NZ 3rd Test
“No additions to the squad (indicating Harshit Rana). Every week is critical; every day is critical. We have not been narrow-minded in thinking about the WTC final. We want to focus on this match,” said Nayar while addressing the media in Mumbai.
This means Harshit Rana’s wait to make his India debut continues. He had a tremendous IPL 2024, where he bagged 19 wickets at a superb strike rate of 13.00. It was under Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship that he excelled at KKR. However, his debut was kept away from him, even when he was in touching distance of it against Bangladesh (T20Is). Regardless, Rana was treated with a surreal moment after his name was included in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). While Mohammed Shami is still on the sidelines, Harshit Rana is among the pace department that includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna.
Following that, he was even released from India’s travelling team squad to play a match in the Ranji Trophy. The Delhi lad did remarkable well in the Ranji game, claiming seven wickets and even making a half-century to lead his state to a 10-wicket win. In fact, in his last three FC games (1 Ranji and 2 Duleep Trophy), Harshit has bagged 15 wickets, with a five-wicket haul and two four-fers.
Harshit Rana First-Class Stats
| Matches | Wickets | Best bowling (Match) | Runs | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 36 | 10/108 | 410 | 1/1 |
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