Harshit Rana: From Uncapped player to International Debut? - A Defining Week Ahead for Rookie KKR Pacer

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Harshit Rana's story could be the beginning of a fairytale. The rookie pacer recently grabbed the headlines after he picked up a five-wicket haul and scored a fifty batting at No. 8 for Delhi in their Ranji Trophy match against Assam.

He did make heads turn with his performances in domestic cricket. Now, he finds himself on the brink of not only his international debut but also as a valuable retention prospect for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as an uncapped player.

Harshit Rana Test Call Up

His inclusion in India’s squad for the third Test against New Zealand at Wankhede is not a shocking twist. The 22-year-old right-arm pacer was already a travelling reserve for India and the selectors had their eyes on him but he didn't get the opportunity to feature in the first two games.

When he was released to play in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi, he grabbed the opportunity in both hands and showcased his all-round skills against Assam at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. His call-up could not have come at a better time, aligning with the IPL retention deadline day on October 31 (Thursday).

Interestingly, as an uncapped player, the three-time IPL champions can retain him for just INR 4 crore, which is an excellent bargain, considering his promising rise and it is indeed a blessing in disguise for KKR. This economical retention also makes sure that it would free up resources to build a well-rounded squad for KKR at the IPL auction.

Will Harshit Rana feature in the Wankhede Test against New Zealand?

The third and final Test between India and New Zealand will kick off on November 1 (Friday) in Mumbai. While the Wankhede pitch in Mumbai traditionally favours spinners as history suggests, the selectors may not include him in the first place.

However, there is still a possibility of him getting a call-up after the IPL retention. It is obvious that India have already lost the series and they would want to rest Jasprit Bumrah to manage his workload such that he can be fit and raring to go for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy starting on November 22.

If India's think-tank prefers to rest Bumrah, then they might turn to Harshit Rana who could add variety to India’s bowling attack. Meanwhile, the fans will be curious to see him take the field and possibly, start a memorable chapter in his international career.