In what has come as a major development, Harshit Rana is likely to be added in the Indian squad for the third Test match against New Zealand, starting from November 1. According to Indian Express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already added Harshit to the squad that will play for pride in Mumbai after losing the Test series in Pune.
Harshit Rana in, rest for Jasprit Bumrah?
Just after the opening Test against New Zealand, India also added Washington Sundar into the mix, and consequently, he was slotted into the playing XI as well. Similarly, we could definitely expect Harshit Rana to make his international debut in the third and final Test. If slotted in, he is likely to replace the big shoes of Jasprit Bumrah, whose workload management is also essential, considering India’s upcoming five-test match tour to Australia next month.
Considering Wankhede Stadium’s history, India are likely to go ahead with three pace bowlers in the next game. Hence, while resting Bumrah, India is likely to field Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana. Bumrah is undoubtedly the biggest asset India has, irrespective of the format. Thus, his rest and recovery will be essential. Nonetheless, it will be a momentous occasion for Harshit Rana, who only recently starred in Delhi’s first Ranji Trophy win of the season against Assam.
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Harshit Rana truly deserves it!
Harshit Rana 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 dream of India’s debut never came, 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).
Following that, he was even released from India’s traveling team squad to play a match in the Ranji Trophy. The Delhi lad did remarakbly 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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