Harshit Rana could well find himself with an India cap in Mumbai. He has been picked in the 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, there are reports that he has been officially added to the squad for the upcoming third Test against New Zealand and might make his debut straightaway.
The 22-year-old fast bowler was travelling with the team for the first two Tests in Bangalore and Pune. He was then released to take part in Delhi’s third-round Ranji game against Assam. He returned with figures of 5/80 & 2/61 in the two innings and also struck 59 in the first innings.
“The team management wanted me to play domestic cricket before going to Australia. I am happy that I performed well with both bat and ball in this match,” Harshit Rana was quoted saying after Delhi’s 10-wicket win over Assam.
The reports suggest that Rana could well come in place of one of the two fast bowlers for the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium. Jasprit Bumrah could be rested after he has featured in all four Tests this home season. If not, he could replace Akash Deep who bowled just six overs in the second Test.
In fact, Rana was even selected in the T20I squad for the Bangladesh series. He was not picked in the first two T20Is of the series. And just when he was due to make his international debut in the last T20I, he was ruled out with an illness.
Sarandeep Singh believes Rana is ready to play for India
Delhi’s Ranji coach Sarandeep Singh admitted that it’ll be great if Rana makes his debut before flying to Australia. The former India selector believes that the 22-year-old pacer is ‘ready’ to play for India now.
“If India want him to play, I would love to see. If he ends up playing a Test before going to Australia, then it is better for Harshit [Rana] and for India too that they get a good fast bowler. I told Rana that he is on the verge of an opportunity for India and that he should take a fifer here. He got pumped up and delivered here. This is just how a coach talks. He is ready to play right now,” Sarandeep Singh was quoted saying to the Indian Express.
Overall, Rana has played 10 first-class matches and has picked up 43 scalps at an average of 24.00. He has got 469 runs while averaging 42.63 with the bat and has one hundred along with two fifties.
The Delhi-born fast bowler was highly impressive in the IPL earlier this year where he starred in the title-winning campaign for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He took 19 wickets in 11 innings with a bowling strike-rate of 13.31.
India will be looking to avoid a whitewash as they trail 0-2 in the three-match Test series. The ‘Men in Blue’ have not been whitewashed in a Test series at home since South Africa beat them 2-0 in 2000.
