Harshit Rana ran over the Punjab Kings lineup on Tuesday in a spell of fine powerplay bowling at Mullanpur. Bowling first in the PBKS vs KKR clash, Harshit led the visitors’ charge, striking thrice in his first spell. The Kolkata pacer’s fiery spell account for Shreyas Iyer, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh.
Harshit Rana leads Knight Riders charge
Captain Ajinkya Rahane turned to Harshit Rana to break the Punjab Kings’ opening stand after Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh got off to a flyer. Priyansh welcomed the Delhi pacer into attack with a stunning six over extra cover. However, Rana got the better of his statemate, with Arya holding out to Ramandeep Singh in the deep.
Ramandeep was the fielder again as Shreyas Iyer slashed at a wide delivery, only to be caught at deep backward point for his second wicket of the over. In his next over, Prabhsimran Singh smashed a cut shot straight to Ramandeep Singh again to be dismissed for 30. The Punjab Kings stumbled to 54/4 in their powerplay.
That's a STUNNER
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 15, 2025Ramandeep Singh pulls off a splendid grab to help Harshit Rana get
in the over!#PBKS are 42/3 after 5 overs.#TATAIPL | #PBKSvKKR | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/yBRPjJzdle
Rahane had Harshit Rana bowl 3 straight overs in his first spell, with figures of 3/25. The KKR pacer bowled 13 dot balls, enforcing a slow down on a good batting wicket in Mullanpur.
The 23-year-old was retained by KKR ahead of the IPL 2025. He has been the leader of their attack, regularly chipping in with wickets. The KKR pacer now has 10 wickets in 7 games, with strike rate of 13.80. Harshit is only behind Hardik Pandya among pacers with 10 or more wickets.
Rana key for England tour?
Rana’s effort ensured that PBKS were struggling with their top order dismissed. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine ran through the rest of the order to put Kolkata Knight Riders right on top in the contest.
The right-arm pacer’s form will please the Indian team management, with Rana likely to be in plans for the England tour. Rana made his debut in India’s Border Gavaskar Trophy loss, and will be one of the options during the 5 Tests in England.
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