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Young pacer Harshit Rana has been making headlines lately for his selection in the ODIs and T20Is. Constant backing from the management has led to a debate among the cricket pundits, but far from the outside noise, the 23-year-old keeps on working to improve his game. Efforts are underway to turn Rana into a reliable resource down the order, and head coach Gautam Gambhir has shown faith in the youngster.
Addressing the media after India’s 9-wicket win against South Africa in Vizag, the Indian head coach said that the team management had chalked out Rana as their project to lengthen their batting line-up.
“That’s one of the reasons why we are trying to probably develop someone like Harshit, who can actually bat at 8 and contribute with a bat at No.
8,” Gambhir said at the press conference.
“That’s how we need to find the balance, because come South Africa in two years, we would be needing three proper seamers as well. If he can continue to develop as a bowling allrounder, it’s going to give us a massive boost.”
“Because obviously with Jasprit Bumrah coming back, and what we saw of Arshdeep, Prasidh, and Harshit in this series, was incredible,” he added.
Rana, Arshdeep and Prasidh constituted the pace attack for the South Africa ODIs. They are still fairly new to ODI cricket, and their performances often fluctuate. However, resting Bumrah has allowed Gautam Gambhir to give them more opportunities, helping shape a new fast-bowling group.
“All these three guys do not have a lot of experience under their belts, especially in the 50-over format… They’ve hardly played less than 15 ODIs, all these three bowlers, but they’ve done a fabulous job,” Gambhir said.
South Africa nearly chased down 350+ in the first ODI, succeeded in the second, and were kept from going past 280 in the third after Prasidh’s impact—setting up a target that Jaiswal, Sharma and Kohli eased past. Still, Gambhir is keen to develop Rana into a handy fast-bowling all-rounder, perhaps a Hardik-like option with fewer injury concerns.
“So I feel that if we can develop someone like Harshit at No. 8, who can contribute with the bat, I think it is going to give us the right balance as well… Let’s see. I think it’s still a long way,” he added.
