Harshit Rana likely to make debut in Mumbai

New Delhi: With the Test series against New Zealand already lost 0-2, Team India management might be contemplating going with rookie Delhi pacer Harshit Rana, who also has decent batting ability, for the third and final Test starting in Mumbai on Friday, November 1.

In domestic cricket, the 22-year-old right-arm quick bowler has established himself with both ball and bat. Delhi-born Harshit will soon have to board a plane to Australia for the crucial five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting next month. With experienced seamer Mohammed Shami not part of the Indian squad due to an ankle injury that he suffered after the World Cup 2023, Harshit is likely to share burden of new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah.

However, the latest call has come at a time when off-spinner Washington Sundar surprised every cricket follower with his seven-wicket haul in Pune’s second Test.
Harshit might get an opportunity to show off his skills in Mumbai, as India has nothing to lose in the series. Prior to his inclusion in the Ranji Trophy match against Assam, the Delhi pacer served as a travelling reserve at the start of the series in Bengaluru and Pune. In Delhi’s 10-wicket victory over Assam, he took five wickets and struck a half-century.

Harshit has an outstanding first-class record. In 14 innings, he has taken 43 wickets with a top spell of 10 for 108 at a strike rate of 36. He has also scored 469 runs at an average of 42.63 with a top score of 122 not out.
Earlier this month, the Delhi-based all-rounder earned a position in India’s T20I squad for the series against Bangladesh. However, he did not secure a spot in the starting lineup during India’s 3-0 victory over Bangladesh. Harshit, however, impressed his seniors and team management by bowling fast and accurately in the nets.

Loses IPL money

Although Harshit is celebrating this latest national call-up, the timing of it has created some controversy.
One day after the “IPL Retention Deadline”, Harshit received this call, creating a stir as his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, anticipates a significant profit.

Team India has added Harshit to its roster for the final Test that will commence on November 1. IPL teams have a deadline to finalise the list of retained players by October 31. Keep in mind that any IPL team can only retain cappad players for Rs 11 crore (Slot 3), Rs 14 crore (Slots 2 and 5), and Rs 18 crore (Slots 1 and 4). However, it only costs Rs 4 crore to keep uncapped players.A player will be considered uncapped if they haven’t played for India by October 31, 2024, according to the BCCI’s criteria for the 2025 IPL retentions.

Harshit’s status as an uncapped player will result in significant savings for the KKR from their auction proceeds. Under the guidance of Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, associate coaches Abhishek Nayar, and former Dutch star Ryan Ten Doeschate, KKR won the 2024 IPL season with Harshit’s 19 wickets in 13 games.

Interestingly, Harshit was part of the Indian squad for both the first Twenty20 International match against Zimbabwe and the three-ODI series against Sri Lanka. Last month, BCCI named him in the T20I team to play Bangladesh, but he did not participate in any matches. Minutes before the third Twenty20 International began, BCCI announced that the KKR star had a “viral fever”, which prevented him from making his debut.KKR management has not yet confirmed its retentions, and the team can only keep Harshit for the current fee if the star bowler accepts and chooses not to bid.

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