Harshit Rana has been a matter of controversy ever since he debuted for India in January this year in a T20I against England in Nagpur. He came into the limelight for his performance for Delhi and in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where Gautam Gambhir was the mentor when they won the IPL in 2024.
Gambhir backed Harshit Rana has the potential to be an all-rounder, as someone who could bowl at 140 kph and could tonk a few in the end with the bat as well.
Critics have long questioned why India head coach Gautam Gambhir and the BCCI selectors have backed the young quick so firmly. He has four wickets in two Tests, 19 wickets in 9 ODIs with an economy of 5.92, and 5 wickets in 5 T20Is with an economy of 10.69.
Now, a video clip of veteran Indian pacer Sandeep Sharma has gone viral on social media, in which he explains why Harshit Rana has been backed so much by the Indian team management.
Sharma emphasized that Rana's selection was not motivated by sentiment but by a clear long-term prediction. He stated that once selectors have identified a rare skill set, the next step is to give that talent time to blossom.
“You either identify a skill or a talent, or once you identify that talent, you give it enough time to mature. That’s what has happened with him. He bowls over 140, has good height, and has a strong build. If you work with him for a couple of years, he can become a very good bowler,” Sharma said on the Talk with Manvendra podcast.
Sharma added that developing fast bowlers is always a gamble, and selectors knowingly take that risk.
“If you pick five such players, only one or two turn out well. Three or four times you will be wrong. That is why it is tough for selectors because they have to take chances. He is 23 to 24 and will have to play, take a few hits, and grow,” he added.
Here is the video:
Those views got additional meaning following Rana's performance in Ranchi, which contributed significantly to India's 17-run victory over an equally formidable South Africa. Sharing the new ball with Arshdeep Singh, the 23-year-old dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in three deliveries.
After the victory in the Ranchi ODI, India captain KL Rahul passionately supported the youngster, describing him as the type of fast bowler India had been looking for.
“Harshit is special. Someone tall, someone who can bowl fast, someone who hits the deck. That is what India has been looking for. He is still developing, but we see great potential,” he stated.
